SBN Detroit’s Post

Detroit is taking a bold step towards sustainability with its new solar neighborhood plan! 🌞 The City Council has approved zoning exemptions to establish solar farms on previously restricted land, aiming to power 127 municipal buildings and cut energy costs. While this initiative promises environmental benefits, it also raises important questions about community impact and legal considerations. As the city moves forward, it’s crucial to balance progress with the needs of local residents. Exciting times ahead for Detroit’s green future! 🌱 #Detroit #Sustainability #SolarEnergy https://lnkd.in/eMpDsrPP #SolarPower #RenewableEnergy #GreenTech #SustainableLiving #EcoFriendlyInnovation

Plymouth, CT is making strides towards a greener future! 🌞 The Planning and Zoning Commission is reviewing proposals for a large-scale solar farm by Inland Fuel Terminals on unused land, which aims to generate clean energy while preserving industrial functions. Additionally, there are plans to allow residential apartments atop commercial buildings, promoting vibrant mixed-use development. These initiatives not only support sustainability but also boost economic growth and community engagement. Stay tuned as Plymouth continues to shape its landscape for the better! 🌱🏙️ https://lnkd.in/eZxHX-t2 #SolarPower #RenewableEnergy #GreenTech #SustainableLiving #EcoFriendlyInnovation

Working in collaboration with the Sydney Street and District Residents' Association, Cagni Williams Associates (Architects and Urban Designers) and our partners Kensa Utilities (Ambient Loop Network Installation and Funding), Genius Energy Lab is thrilled to announce that we have just completed a feasibility study for a community-based ground source heat pump network in Chelsea. This pioneering initiative aims to bring carbon-free heating and cooling to most residents of Sydney Street and the dense surrounding urban environment, setting a new standard for sustainable urban living in the UK. “We are getting more and more enquiries for community-based schemes leveraging various grants. With the infrastructure lasting over 100 years once installed, with very little maintenance requirements, it’s a win for residents and future generations. Ground Source Heat Pumps (twice as efficient as Air Source Heat Pumps) are installed inside the property and are super quiet and efficient. Congratulations to the team at Cagni Williams for their vision and enthusiasm for this project.” - Genius Energy Lab CEO, Richard Davis. The network is expected to serve around 75% of the area’s dwellings, significantly reducing local greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the UK’s decarbonisation goals. Read our full case study about the project here: https://lnkd.in/d9SEetbk #GroundSourceHeatPump #NetZero #CommunityEnergy #NetworkedHeatPumps #HeatPumps

Preserving Heritage: Adding Solar to Historic Buildings 🌞 𝐃𝐨 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧? In the UK, most buildings can have solar panels installed without needing permission, thanks to 'permitted development' rules. However, listed buildings require consent for solar panel installation. Planning permission may also be needed for buildings in conservation areas or where wildlife may be impacted. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭: To achieve building consent, you must verify that the solar panels will not cause structural damage or alter the building's appearance. You can obtain a 'listed building consent' from your local council. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫: 🛠Low Maintenance. 💰Reduces Utility Bills. 🌞See a Payback (great future investment!) ⚡️Creates Free Energy.  #historicbuildings  #solarbenefits  #renewabletechnology  #heritage  #southwest

Edmonton’s proposed zoning bylaw amendments require new builds to be solar power-ready and EV charger-compatible - which aligns with the growing demand for climate-conscious construction. At Energy Efficient Homes, we design every build with the future in mind, making sure they’re ready to support solar panels and other energy-efficient upgrades right from the planning stage. We are proud to contribute to Edmonton’s vision of sustainable urban development. #edmontondevelopment #climateconscious

Edmonton has proposed amending the zoning bylaw to require all new buildings to be constructed in ways that make them ready to add solar power and electric vehicle chargers, among several other changes. https://lnkd.in/gb47nFcK #yegcc #yegclimate

Smart surfaces - reflective roofs, trees, permeable pavements, etc. - have been shown to mitigate extreme heat and stormwater runoff, resulting in more climate-resilient communities. However, data suggests that low-income and disadvantaged communities are being left out. Check out the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's blog post to learn how wider city adoption of smart surfaces can protect disadvantaged communities. https://lnkd.in/gZ9iWr8Z

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and city officials have revealed the finalized plans for the city's inaugural trio of solar neighborhoods, with construction slated to commence in spring. These solar installations, situated in Gratiot-Findlay, Van Dyke-Lynch, and State Fair, are projected to generate 21 megawatts of renewable energy, sufficient to power 127 municipal buildings. The initiatives will also feature community gardens and food production beneath the solar panels in two of the neighborhoods. The solar arrays are anticipated to supply renewable energy to municipal structures while offering local urban farmers the chance to oversee the agricultural aspects. Nevertheless, some residents have expressed apprehensions regarding land use and the availability of open spaces in areas that have historically experienced disinvestment. Concerns have been raised about whether the advantages will be equitably shared or if the projects might worsen existing disparities. Mayor Duggan underscored the commitment to avoid affecting owner-occupied homes during the neighborhood selection process. The solar initiatives are expected to deliver economic development opportunities and energy efficiency enhancements to homeowners residing within the community benefits areas surrounding the projects. https://buff.ly/49L4sem

Checkout this Buildings & Cities article with 7 co-authors from RMI, Berkeley Lab, and the Terner Center for Housing Innovation. The research team leveraged Replica data to study national vehicle-miles traveled (VMT)and create a hypothetical scenario that explores the potential for state urban land-use reforms to enable energy sufficiency. Incredible work Zack Subin, Jackie Lombardi, Raghav Muralidharan, Jacob Korn, Jeetika Malik, Tyler Pullen, Max Wei, and Tianzhen Hong. A few key points the team found: 🌍 Land use patterns differ across states, but every state has some neighborhoods in which people can drive much less than average while meeting their daily needs. In 47 states, these neighborhoods are still lightly built out, with less than 33% of housing bigger than a fourplex. So we can add housing in car-light neighborhoods even without building high-rises. 🌍 In an ambitious scenario in which all 50 states solve the housing shortage while building in car-light neighborhoods, ~70 million tons of annual carbon pollution could be avoided in a decade. This is ~65% of the savings from extending CA's EV policies nationwide. https://lnkd.in/eWpPFJPA

Fun Fact: The Future of Brownfield redevelopment is moving “beyond dig and dump” Did you know? Public-private partnerships are reimagining brownfield projects and cleanup methods with eco-friendly approaches that reduce the need to excavate and transport soil. Using techniques like in-place contamination treatment, green infrastructure, and renewable energy, these projects transform neglected industrial sites into sustainable community assets. By focusing on green building, alternative transit, and stormwater management, brownfield sites are now revitalized to improve local quality of life, attract investment, and provide lasting environmental benefits. Discover how to set a new standard for sustainable urban development by reading more here: Sustainable Brownfield Redevelopment Research Brief. https://lnkd.in/gd-d_8wH Join us on January 22, 2025 for part two of our Beyond Dig and Dump webinar discussion, registration is open now: #BrownfieldsFirst