Is Net-Zero Building Realistic on a Large Scale?

"While some net-zero homes have been a reality for several years, it’s the commercial projects and communities that are getting the most attention as they will have a profound impact over time. The nation’s largest net-zero commercial building is located in Greater Los Angeles and was dedicated in June 2016. This 144,000 square-foot building will serve as both a living laboratory and demonstration center to showcase energy-efficient design techniques and clean energy technologies."

"Now that we know how to construct net-zero buildings, the next move is towards entire towns and cities. Perhaps a lofty goal but some communities are well on their way towards its achievement. Sacramento, CA currently has the most net-zero buildings of any city in the country. Despite this, the California state capital would have a long way to travel to reach total net-zero status as a city. However, the small community of Cambridge, MA is working on total net-zero zoning as a city. This is a long-term project that calls for a 70 percent reduction in building emissions by 2040."

"As technology and design techniques continue to improve, the net-zero movement is expected to pick up pace. While cost is a current challenge with these projects, further advances in coming years should make many of these solutions more attainable for both small and large-scale net-zero projects.