![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.commercialsearch.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/05\/Screenshot-89.png\")
<\/a>Clockwise: Alex Perlman, senior manager, Energy Programs, Prologis; Eric Tilden, senior director, ESG, WashREIT; Joe Indvik,\u00a0 director of Carbon & Finance Solutions, RE Tech Advisors; and Vaishali Sampat, director of Sustainability, Kilroy Realty Corp.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cIf perhaps you looked at solar three or four five years ago and decided it wasn\u2019t right for whatever reason, the combination of costs coming down and employment rates going up and all the various finance and ownership models now available, may mean it is time to revisit solar,\u201d said Joe Indvik, director of Carbon & Finance Solutions, for RE Tech Advisors, who moderated the webinar during which the report was rolled out.<\/p>\n
Indvik was joined by sustainability managers representing three different property owners in three different property types: Alex Perlman, senior manager, Energy Programs, Prologis<\/strong> (industrial); Vaishali Sampat, director of Sustainability, Kilroy Realty Corp.<\/strong> (office and life sciences); and Eric Tilden, senior director, ESG, WashREIT<\/strong> (multifamily).<\/p>\nThe speakers, each of whom is shepherding their company\u2019s renewable energy journey, helped amplify some of the key takeaways from the report, particularly the need to customize solutions because, while the business case for renewable energy is sound, each renewable energy project has its own set of economics depending on the goals of the sponsoring organization, the building\u2019s unique features, and, especially, the location.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are huge amounts of regional variations,\u201d said Tilden.<\/p>\n
In Texas for example, energy is cheaper so solar investments may not pencil out as well as they do in San Diego, where energy rates are higher. Regional variations also include: the availability of incentive programs, utility policies on things like net metering, and value throughout the day. Building-level considerations include material and installation costs, roof size and the age of the roof. Tilden asked: \u201cCan the solar be there for 15 years?\u201d<\/p>\n
Other key takeaways from the report were: The demand for renewable energy is growing so it is a good idea to begin exploring renewable energy options to gain experience and build relationships with service providers; energy efficiency is the first step toward net zero followed by on-site renewables and then off-site; and on- and off-site renewable energy deal structures are complicated, so it is best to enlist the help of reputable outside consultants.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not solar experts,\u201d said Sampat. \u201cWe\u2019re not renewable energy experts so we have a consultant that we bring on board to help us coordinate the feasibility studies. They go out to bid for us. They help us negotiate contracts along with our lawyers. That\u2019s been really helpful for us to make sure we get a favorable deal.\u201d<\/p>\n