In keeping with its vision toward sustainable design in both life and work, Artech has installed a solar panel system to its 1410 Cowart Street, Chattanooga office, headquarters. The system was designed and installed by Tennessee-based Sustainable Future, an energy technology & home energy improvements concern. The system’s meter went live mid November.

Artech CEO, David Hudson, remarks that “our motivation, simply, is our belief in renewable energy. While this type of installation is not currently a necessity due to the low cost of energy in our area, the future cost of energy is expected to reach a point that the use of renewables will certainly become a favorable energy source.” Ever being the leader in design and construction trends, Artech hopes to show its community what opportunities are available in the solar industry and what can be achieved.

Funded through federal, state and local foundation sources, Artech envisions future power bill savings based on the amount of electricity generated and being able to sell power back to the grid to be used by others.

This panel system was installed within three weeks and has a life span estimated between 20 and 40 years. Emerging technology and product innovation, however, will dictate if replacement panels are necessary to attain the greatest benefit over time. Says Hudson, “being able to monitor, in real time, the amount of electricity being generated at that moment is extremely exciting”. Artech plans to install a monitor reader in its lobby as a constant indicator of what the system is achieving and has discussed placing a tag on its website to communicate to its online visitors.

Artech is an architecture and interior design firm with over 25 years of experience in the commercial building industry and has a solid commitment to the promotion and use of sustainable design. The firm continues to see increased interest from clients wanting to focus on “greening” their developments. Recent successful “green” projects include Carmike’s Majestic 12 - the first LEED Certified stand alone theater in the US, LEED Gold Certified Outdoor Chattanooga, and Volkswagen’s Training Center, which was designed to attain LEED Platinum designation. The firm currently employs three LEED Accredited Professionals on its staff.