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Buildings & Energy Overview
Solar
Geothermal & Other Renewables
Energy Efficiency
Housing
Buildings & Energy Overview
56% of Raleigh’s community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from how we produce and use energy. Efforts to transition our energy supply towards renewable sources and reduce energy use through efficient buildings are key to reducing emissions. The data shared below describes that transition.
To learn more about the Raleigh’s progress towards climate action, please visit our larger City of Raleigh CCAP Data Dashboard. To learn more about climate action across Raleigh, check out the 2023 CCAP Implementation Report.
Solar
One important way to reduce GHG emissions across North Carolina is “greening” our energy supply grid. This means moving away from coal to cleaner renewables like solar and geothermal energy. The City has a long history of supporting solar energy across the Raleigh community. Initiatives such as SolSmart, Solarize the Triangle, and applying federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding are all climate action project examples.
The data below shows total solar capacity in Raleigh provided through our partnership with the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. You can interact with the visual by clicking on specific years, or hovering over the bar columns to see specific data.
- In the past decade, total solar capacity in Raleigh has increased by over 500%.
- As of January 2023, 2,000 installations have the capacity to generate nearly 35 MW of solar power.
- This capacity is enough to power 5,000 detached homes, 7,000 townhomes, or 10,000 apartments annually.
- Residential installations make up nearly all installations (96%), but represent only 55% of total capacity.
- The City has 18 City facilities with solar technology, with capacity to generate over 3.4 MW of power.
- 11 facilities, including 9 Fire stations, use solar thermal technology to heat water for direct use.
Interested in learning more about the increase of solar and renewable energy in Raleigh? Check out the 2023 CCAP Implementation Report.
Geothermal & Other Renewables
While solar energy is the most viable renewable energy source in Raleigh, other renewable sources are evaluated when possible. Geothermal wells are another technology used for efficient heating and cooling.
The visual below shows geothermal installations across Raleigh, provided through our partnership with the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. You can interact with the data by using the toolbar in the upper right of the map.
- Currently, the greater Raleigh community has over 1,400 geothermal wells at approximately 325 locations.
- There are over 290 geothermal wells across all City facilities, including 80 wells at the Law Enforcement Training Center.
Check out our 2023 CCAP Implementation Report for more information about geothermal and other renewable energy sources.
Energy Efficiency
Addressing the energy used in buildings, particularly from heating and cooling, is important to reducing GHG emissions. Two of the primary rating systems for energy efficiency, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and EnergySTAR, certify buildings that use design, materials, and technology to reduce energy use. In 2008, the Raleigh City Council adopted a policy that all new City-owned buildings (greater than 10,000 square feet) must be built to at least a LEED Silver standard. The City also seeks a higher rating whenever practical and funding is available.
The data below shows all LEED and EnergySTAR facilities located in the greater Raleigh area. You can interact with the data by using the toolbar in the upper right of the map. Data is provided by our partnership with the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association.
- There are 121 commercial and municipal buildings that have received an EnergySTAR certification, with 73% of facilities receiving a score of 80 or higher.
- 140 facilities have received a LEED certification in Raleigh, with 35% receiving a Gold certification level or higher.
- The City of Raleigh has 20 LEED certified facilities, with 5 receiving a Gold certification level or higher.
Interest in learning more about energy efficiency? Check out our 2023 CCAP Implementation Report.
Housing
Energy efficiency certifications like
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Identified in the Article
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | – Total solar capacity in Raleigh has increased by over 500% in the past decade – 2,000 installations have the capacity to generate nearly 35 MW of solar power – The City has 18 City facilities with solar technology, with capacity to generate over 3.4 MW of power – Currently, the greater Raleigh community has over 1,400 geothermal wells at approximately 325 locations – There are over 290 geothermal wells across all City facilities |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management | – Efforts to transition to renewable energy sources and reduce energy use through efficient buildings contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving air quality – LEED and EnergySTAR certifications for buildings promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – The City of Raleigh has implemented various climate action projects, such as supporting solar energy initiatives and using federal funding for renewable energy projects – The 2023 CCAP Implementation Report provides information on the increase of solar and renewable energy in Raleigh |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources | – Transitioning to renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency in buildings contribute to sustainable management and efficient use of energy resources |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
The article discusses the transition towards renewable energy sources, such as solar and geothermal energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts to increase solar capacity and utilize geothermal wells are highlighted.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency in buildings and reducing environmental impact. LEED and EnergySTAR certifications for buildings are mentioned as strategies to promote sustainability in cities.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions various climate action projects implemented by the City of Raleigh, such as supporting solar energy initiatives and using federal funding for renewable energy projects. The 2023 CCAP Implementation Report is also referenced as a source of information on the increase of solar and renewable energy in Raleigh.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The transition to renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency in buildings align with the goal of sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
– Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
– Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management
– Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
– Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
– Total solar capacity in Raleigh has increased by over 500% in the past decade.
– 2,000 installations have the capacity to generate nearly 35 MW of solar power.
– The City has 18 City facilities with solar technology, with capacity to generate over 3.4 MW of power.
– Currently, the greater Raleigh community has over 1,400 geothermal wells at approximately 325 locations.
– There are over 290 geothermal wells across all City facilities.
– Efforts to transition to renewable energy sources and reduce energy use through efficient buildings contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving air quality.
– LEED and EnergySTAR certifications for buildings promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
– The City of Raleigh has implemented various climate action projects, such as supporting solar energy initiatives and using federal funding for renewable energy projects.
– The 2023 CCAP Implementation Report provides information on the increase of solar and renewable energy in Raleigh.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | – Total solar capacity in Raleigh has increased by over 500% in the past decade – 2,000 installations have the capacity to generate nearly 35 MW of solar power – The City has 18 City facilities with solar technology, with capacity to generate over 3.4 MW of power – Currently, the greater Raleigh community has over 1,400 geothermal wells at approximately 325 locations – There are over 290 geothermal wells across all City facilities |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management | – Efforts to transition to renewable energy sources and reduce energy use through efficient buildings contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving air quality – LEED and EnergySTAR certifications for buildings promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – The City of Raleigh has implemented various climate action projects, such as supporting solar energy initiatives and using federal funding for renewable energy projects – The 2023 CCAP Implementation Report provides information on the increase of solar and renewable energy in Raleigh |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.2: Achieve
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs. Fuente: raleighnc.gov
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