Point Roberts, WA, August 2, 2006--Green building has moved mainstream as the demand for the utilization of construction products, materials, and techniques that minimize waste, improve air and water quality, increase energy efficiency and protect the environment, grows.
Working to meet the increasing need for environmentally friendly construction and energy production are companies such as XsunX, Inc., and Aloca Inc., with their focus on integrated solar technologies, in addition to efforts by home builder Centex Corporation and International Barrier, a developer of environmental friendly fire resistant building materials.
According to a recent survey conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction/National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) the residential green building market is anticipated to grow from $19 billion from 2005 to $38 billion by 2010.
Taryn Holowka, Communications Manager, for the U.S. Green Building Council explains, "People are seeing gas, energy and electricity prices rising, and one way to combat that is through green building practices."
According to Dr. Michael Huddy, president & CEO of International Barrier Technology, Inc., "A big part of the green movement stems from the media which is much more attuned to issues as they interface environmental issues with health. Our customers are coming to us as they not only seek environmentally friendly building materials, but also as they are steering away from products that may prove to be hazardous down the road."
As a major player in the homebuilder space Centex Corp., implements a variety of measures, many things as a matter of standard that brings a home close to certification. According to the company, "For the most part, we are 75% in line with the green certification standards on most of our homes. In addition, we continue to look into costs associated with green products such as Low Voc and No Voc finishes, alternate attic insulation techniques, use of recycled materials, and other green products."
Building Integrated Photovoltaics is a growing segment of the green building industry. Tom Djokovich, CEO of XsunX, Inc., describes, "What architects, builders, and building material manufacturers need are technologies and products that allow them to integrate solar power production capabilities into materials as seamlessly as possible. We are focused on the development of thin film photovoltaic 'TFPV' designs that provide light weight, flexible structures that can be integrated into building products and become part of the surface of the building."
Alcoa Inc.'s global Building and Construction Systems business unit, has developed an integrated BIPV sunshade product called 1600 PowerShade that generates solar power while also providing an optimal level of shade, according to the Company. This leads to energy conservation and an overall reduction of building costs.
