AE Building Scientist Dan McFarland elected chairperson of N.C. Sustainable Energy Association

Advanced Energy’s Dan McFarland was recently elected chairperson, Board of Directors, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA), for 2004.

"This is an exciting time for sustainable efforts in North Carolina,” McFarland said. “With the launch of the NC GreenPower program and the increased number of high performance homes being built through Advanced Energy and their partners, initiatives by the NC Solar Center and NC State Energy Office as well as the initiatives of many others, the future looks good for a healthier and sustainable North Carolina.”

McFarland served on the NCSEA Board from 1989 through 1993, working with the policy and nomination committees. McFarland helped develop the “N.C. Solar Blueprint Plan,” which was distributed across the state to government and community leaders, including the former Governor Jim Hunt. The plan outlined a strategy for renewable energy to provide 20% of North Carolina’s energy needs by the year 2010. He rejoined the Board in summer 2001.

"The association is the strongest it has been in a long time,” McFarland adds about the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. “It is well positioned to help provide leadership in the areas of policy initiatives and public awareness of the issues and opportunities to make our homes, workplaces, and communities more sustainable in terms of energy and our environment.”

A senior building science specialist with Advanced Energy with more than 20 years of experience in the field, McFarland works to develop and implement residential energy efficiency projects for utilities, state and local governments, and community-based organizations. Currently working on company initiatives in affordable housing, McFarland manages efforts in multi-family housing, working with such associations as Habitat for Humanity. His work in affordable housing also includes working with developers through the company’s System Vision program. This program alone has built 250 homes in 46 counties during 2003. More Energy Star homes have been built through this program than any other energy efficiency program. These homes are more durable, healthy, safe, affordable, and comfortable and offer the homeowner a guarantee on the heating a cooling portion of their monthly energy bill.

McFarland also teaches a series of workshops to housing professionals called, “Build It Better,” which included classes called “Mold and Moisture” and “High Performance Heating and Cooling.” These classes train heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractors and others in the building industry on energy efficiency practices in new residential construction.