IIBEC Recommends Improvements to North Carolina Green Schools Bill

In a letter dated April 22, 2025, IIBEC leaders provided North Carolina state senators with three recommendations to improve their bill promoting green buildings on North Carolina school campuses.

The legislation, Green Schools Save Money (SB 644) provides $1.5 billion to the NC Department of Public Instruction for the 2025–2026 fiscal year to improve school-building energy efficiency, install solar panels, and upgrade to electric buses.

The letter reads, “We are encouraged that the legislation specifically allots funding for installation and roof repairs that support the installation of photovoltaic panels. Nevertheless, in the spirit of ensuring the best possible outcome for any rooftop photovoltaic project, we offer these recommendations.

• Recommendation 1: Insert language requiring a roof inspection to determine the expected service life of the roof system in relation to that of the renewable energy system and provide corrective action if required.
• Recommendation 2: Include language requiring independent, third-party design professionals/consultants to conduct inspections and any design work related to the project.
• Recommendation 3: Require the use of registered design professionals or credentialed professionals on building enclosure projects.

Brian Pallasch, IIBEC’s executive vice president and CEO, stated, “IIBEC will continue to take every opportunity to educate legislators about the necessity of ensuring buildings’ roofs are suitable for a photovoltaic installation to maximize their investments.”

Pallasch concluded, “I appreciate Nicholas Tribble, RRO, IIBEC’s Region II director, and Keith Parker, RBEC, CBECxP, CCS, CCCA, IIBEC Carolinas Chapter president, signing the letter to emphasize that these common-sense recommendations will ensure the legislation creates a successful program.”