Well the presidents speech last night confirmed how important green energy is to us and our nation. Not just for individual cost savings, tax savings and environmental health but for the jobs it will create for a nation in need. Green is quite simply the right thing to do no matter how you slice it!

It is surprising to me recent conversations with some of my oldest and most valued friends and clients. While they are considering new projects there is still hesitation to spend a proportionate amount to make the project more eco-friendly. This shows how much education and awareness is still needed before green building becomes mainstream. Please check out our 5 Green Building Guidelines below. These reduce the cost by implementing initial performance standards and guidelines.

Of course if building code and regulations became mandatory at the government level there will be an emergent wake up call for average building standards to improve. This is already happening at the commercial and new residential level with remodeling guidelines soon to come. Good news.

It is not easy leading the trends in any new industry. Please support local green certified businesses who are making a difference and moving with us all into the future.

Rolling Thunder's Top 5
Green Building Guidelines

1. Performance Standards. Standards set in place in the
initial stages of the project to set accountable requirements for
each area of the project. This is
the most cost effective way to
have all standards met and to
align with qualified partners.

2. Processes.
These are processes set in motion by our site
management via provided green training programs. Some of these
may be introduced as a
Performance Standards but many would be handled by our staff in
house as a process.

3. Materials.
Eco friendly materials are critical
in providing the healthiest and
most environmentally friendly project.

4. Design and Engineering.
Always best to design a passive system than an active one that requires manufacturing and
energy.  
  
5. Guidelines.
There are two primary
organizations that provide Green Building Guidelines. We are members and certified by
Build It Green.
    a. Built It Green Organization.
New Residential and Commercial. Remodel program now in affect.
    b. LEED, US Green Building
Council. New Residential and Commercial.  

A primary advantage of using a Green Certified General Contractor such as us is these guidelines are inherent in all of our projects.
This brings a committed vision to
life without the implementation of additional resources.

 

 

Our Stinson Beach project was lucky enough to get a new Energy Star rated Solaris roof and 7.7kwh Sunpower solar system completed just before the recent storms.

The 7.7kwh Sunpower system features thirty six 215w panels mounted in six rows of six. The Sunpower panels are known to provide the highest efficiency in the industry.

It's remarkable to see the performance of the solar system even in low light. Interested in checking the systems performance?

A fantastic feature is the delivery of the panels and equipment in a security box.

 
Rack mounts are very nice.

Rack rails secure in place.

The new Solaris shingle roof is Energy Star rated and qualified for a 30% Federal Tax Rebate. The Sunpower system qualified for a 30% Federal Tax Rebate, 5% State Tax Rebate and $500 Marin County Rebate.

Monitoring both inside the house and as a free iPhone or iPod Touch application.

The provided inverter converts the DC current from the panels into AC current which feeds the grid.

Contact us for more info or if you are interested in going solar!