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State Energy Alternatives Home About State Energy Alternatives Why Consider Alternative Energy Technology Options Buildings Appliances Building Controls Efficient Heating and Cooling Geothermal Heat Pumps Lighting and Daylighting Office Equipment Passive Solar Design Solar Water Heating Walls and Roofs Whole Building Design Windows Electricity Transportation Policy Options Alternative Energy Resources by State

Technology Options for Buildings

Photo of a cube-shaped building aside taller skyscrapers in Chicago that uses building integrated photovoltaic curtain walls. These curtain walls give the building windows a black, glazed appearance.

The Exelon Pavilions in Chicago feature building integrated photovoltaic curtain walls. The dark photovoltaic panels and color-matched backsheets give the building its black, glazed appearance.

The buildings sector uses approximately 66% of the electric energy in the United States. Electricity consumption in buildings doubled between 1989 and 2005. If this growth rate is sustained, electricity demand in buildings will increase another 150% by 2030.

When considering building improvements, decision makers should consider two kinds of costs: (1) one-time, up-front capital costs and (2) life-cycle operating costs. Alternative energy resources and technologies may reduce operating costs; however, the initial capital costs may exceed those of conventional technologies. This presents cost trade-offs and indicates the need to consider all costs when constructing or renovating buildings.

For more information on building technologies, also visit EERE's Building Technologies Program.