Library | Building America Solution Center

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 1 - 20 of 20

Discussion of Strategies for Mounting Photovoltaic Arrays on Rooftops

Author(s)

Barkaszi Stephen F,

Dunlop James P

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

April, 2001

A research paper exploring the installation and mounting of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on rooftops and the challenges faced by system designers and installers.

DOE Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers Program

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2020

A PDF containing the SERC Solar PV System Field-Inspection Checklist.

Extreme Weather and Climate Vulnerabilities of the Electric Grid: A Summary of Environmental Sensitivity Quantification Methods

Author(s)

Allen-Dumas Melissa R,

KC Binita,

Cunliff Colin I

Organization(s)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL

Publication Date

August, 2019

Technical report detailing the vulnerabilities of the U.S. electric grid to weather-related failures.

FEMA P-348, 2nd edition; Protecting Building Utility Systems From Flood Damage: Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

February, 2017

Guide describing flood protection measures for utility systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel.

General PV Specification

Author(s)

Aldrich Robb

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

March, 2009

Brochure on specifications for PV systems.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC); Water Heating; Appliances; and Refrigeration

Author(s)

Goetzler,

Guernsey,

Kassuga

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report evaluating HVAC building technologies based on their ability to provide grid services and the type of value provided, including efficiency, load shed, load shift, and modulation.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Lighting and Electronics

Author(s)

Nubbe,

Yamada

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report evaluating lighting and electronic building technologies based on their ability to provide grid services and the type of value provided, including efficiency, load shed, load shift, and modulation.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Overview of Research Challenges and Gaps

Author(s)

Nubbe,

Neukomm,

Fares

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report providing an introduction to core concepts of GEBs, and explaining how flexible building loads can be integrated and controlled to benefit consumers, the grid, and society more broadly.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Whole Building Controls, Sensors, Modeling, and Analytics

Author(s)

Roth,

Reyna

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report addressing the current state of these technologies and the challenges of adapting these to the GEB context.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Windows and Opaque Envelope

Author(s)

Mumme,

LaFrance,

Neukomm,

Sawyer

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report focuseing on dynamic window and opaque envelope technologies for GEBs, including electrochromic glazing, automated attachments, and thermal storage.

Minimizing Flood Damage to Electrical Service Components

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

December, 2012

Factsheet describing smart practices for minimizing damage to residential electrical service components during coastal and riverine flood events.

New and Substantially Improved Buildings - Electrical Systems

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

November, 1999

Guide for electrical systems design including installation guidance and best practices for flood-prone areas.

NFPA 70: National Electric Code

Author(s)

National Fire Protection Association

Organization(s)

NFPA

Publication Date

January, 2020

This standard provides a benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards and has been adopted in all 50 states.

OSHA Fact Sheet: Working Safely with Chainsaws

Author(s)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Organization(s)

OSHA

Publication Date

September, 2018

A fact sheet educating the public on the proper operation of chainsaws to reduce the risk of injury from use.

Overview of FEMA P-348, 2017 Edition Protecting Building Utility Systems From Flood Damage

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

May, 2019

Flyer describing the location of key topics in FEMA P-348, including flood mitigation for MEP and fuel systems.

Raise Electrical System Components - Protecting Your Property from Flooding

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

April, 2008

Flyer describing reasons and best practices for raising electrical systems above flood-levels.

Reducing the Costs of Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems: Proceedings of Solar Forum 2001

Author(s)

Ventre,

Farhi,

Szaro,

Dunlop

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center

Publication Date

April, 2001

A report presenting alternative approaches for reducing the costs of roof-mounted, grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Residential Grid-interactive Efficient Building Technology and Policy: Harnessing the Power of Homes for a Clean, Affordable, Resilient Grid of the Future

Author(s)

Rinaldi Kara Saul,

Bunnen Elizabeth,

Rogers Sabine

Organization(s)

AnnDyl Policy Group,

National Association of State Energy Officials,

NASEO

Publication Date

October, 2019

Report identifying efficient, connected, smart, and flexible GEB technologies and their future potential, including barriers and opportunities, recommendations for policymakers, and research needs.

Small Wind Electric Systems

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2020

A website discussing the use of consumer-grade small electric wind systems such as turbines to lower energy costs.

Using Backup Generators: Choosing the Right Backup Generator - Homeowners

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Publication Date

September, 2021

A reference guide providing basic tips on using backup generators safely and effectively.