Verified ZNE Case Study: West Berkeley Public Library

Case Study / December 13, 2016 / Getting to Zero

The West Berkeley Public Library is the first verified zero net energy (ZNE) public library in California. Completed in late 2013, the 9,400-square-foot library produces as much or more energy than it consumes on an annual basis. To reach its zero net energy goals, designers used a variety of innovative technologies and passive strategies. To ensure the proper integration of all the systems, the project’s design team partnered with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to access resources from the statewide Savings by Design program that provided funding for simulations which were key to the design’s success. The library is also one of the first projects to take part in the PG&E ZNE Pilot Program.

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