> Skip to content
FEATURED:
  • Ethics and the Source of Foundation Money
Sign In
  • Latest
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
Sign In
  • Latest
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
  • Latest
  • Advice
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Data
  • Grants
  • Magazine
  • Store
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
    • Featured Products
    • Data
    • Reports
    • Collections
    • Back Issues
    • Webinars
  • Jobs
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
    • Find a Job
    • Post a Job
Sign In
ADVERTISEMENT
Technology
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Show more sharing options
Share
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Copy Link URLCopied!
  • Print

Packard Building Generates Its Own Power

By  Nicole Wallace
October 20, 2013
Solar panels on the Packard foundation’s headquarters generate more electricity than the building uses.
David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Solar panels on the Packard foundation’s headquarters generate more electricity than the building uses.

In the first year the David and Lucile Packard Foundation was in its new green headquarters, the structure generated more electricity than it used, becoming the largest building to earn the Net Zero Energy Building Certification.

The 49,000-square-foot building in Los Altos, Calif., features 915 solar panels that generate 300 megawatt hours of electricity per year, though a structure the size of Packard’s headquarters typically uses 700 to 800 megawatt hours annually. The foundation had to find energy savings to make up the difference.

We’re sorry. Something went wrong.

We are unable to fully display the content of this page.

The most likely cause of this is a content blocker on your computer or network. Please make sure your computer, VPN, or network allows javascript and allows content to be delivered from v144.philanthropy.com and chronicle.blueconic.net.

Once javascript and access to those URLs are allowed, please refresh this page. You may then be asked to log in, create an account if you don't already have one, or subscribe.

If you continue to experience issues, contact us at 202-466-1032 or help@chronicle.com

In the first year the David and Lucile Packard Foundation was in its new green headquarters, the structure generated more electricity than it used, becoming the largest building to earn the Net Zero Energy Building Certification.

The 49,000-square-foot building in Los Altos, Calif., features 915 solar panels that generate 300 megawatt hours of electricity per year, though a structure the size of Packard’s headquarters typically uses 700 to 800 megawatt hours annually. The foundation had to find energy savings to make up the difference.

Some of the steps Packard took were simple, like taking energy use into consideration when buying appliances and technology. For example, the foundation uses ink-jet printers rather than laser-jet printers because they’re more energy-efficient. For the same reason, employees work on laptops instead of desktop computers.

“Small choices like that add up,” says Craig Neyman, the foundation’s chief financial officer.

Other energy-efficiency measures were more sophisticated, including a heating and air-conditioning system that circulates heated or chilled water instead of air. But the foundation didn’t have to take a chance on brand-new techniques, says Carol Larson, the foundation’s chief executive.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This is all existing technology,” she says. “We didn’t have to go out there and do something really bleeding-edge.”

The foundation estimates that building with environmental sustainability in mind added 20 percent to the cost of its $37.2-million headquarters. But officials say some of those techniques will lead to savings down the road. For example, the solar panels, which cost a little less than $2-million, will pay for themselves in less than 10 years through the energy they generate.

The foundation hopes that other organizations planning renovations or building projects will be able to learn from its experience, says Susan Packard Orr, chair of the foundation’s Board of Directors and daughter of its founders: “You can do it without stretching too far.”

For more information: Go to packard.org.

We welcome your thoughts and questions about this article. Please email the editors or submit a letter for publication.
Technology
Nicole Wallace
Nicole Wallace is features editor of the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleCOP.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • Explore
    • Latest Articles
    • Get Newsletters
    • Advice
    • Webinars
    • Data & Research
    • Magazine
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
    Explore
    • Latest Articles
    • Get Newsletters
    • Advice
    • Webinars
    • Data & Research
    • Magazine
    • Chronicle Store
    • Find a Job
  • The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • Work at the Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Gift-Acceptance Policy
    • Site Map
    • DEI Commitment Statement
    The Chronicle
    • About Us
    • Work at the Chronicle
    • User Agreement
    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Policy
    • Gift-Acceptance Policy
    • Site Map
    • DEI Commitment Statement
  • Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    Customer Assistance
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Post a Job
    • Reprints & Permissions
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Organizational Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
    Subscribe
    • Individual Subscriptions
    • Organizational Subscriptions
    • Subscription & Account FAQ
    • Manage Newsletters
    • Manage Your Account
1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037
© 2023 The Chronicle of Philanthropy
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • pinterest
  • facebook
  • linkedin