Viability analysis of renewable energy systems for commercial buildings: case study of Briarwood Club of Ankeny, Iowa, USA.

The viability of implementing renewable heating, cooling and electric systems for commercial buildings at Briarwood Club of Ankeny (BCOA), a golf course located in Ankeny, Iowa, USA, is addressed. A geothermal heat pump system with a horizontal loop field is the most viable renewable solution after incentives with an equity payback of less than 6 years and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 18.4% compared with conventional solutions. Solar thermal heating is not optimal for BCOA. Net metering of a 50 kW wind turbine is the most economical renewable electric solution after incentives with an equity payback of less than 13 years and an IRR of 8.6%; however, it is not attractive enough for BCOA to invest in. Solar photovoltaic systems are not as economically viable as wind turbines. However, zoning, incentives and net metering policy significantly affect the analysis, and the impact of these will be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]