Two Hoffman projects achieve net-zero energy milestone

April 21, 2025

APPLETON – Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc. has achieved net-zero energy with two of the firm’s facility projects. 

Henry Hundt, Hoffman’s sustainability leader, said Holy Wisdom Monastery in Madison and the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael Dominican Convent in San Rafael, California, now generate more solar energy on site than they consume in a year. 

Both facilities, Hundt said, will be monitored in the coming years to confirm net-zero performance, after Hoffman provided energy consumption expertise and solar planning services to both congregations in their effort to achieve net-zero energy.

He said the Benedictine Women of Madison partnered with Hoffman on the design and construction of the 34,000-square-foot Holy Wisdom Monastery in 2009, which ultimately became the highest-rated LEED v2.2-New Construction building in the United States. 

Over the past 15 years, Hundt said the Sisters have implemented additional renewable energy sources on-site for the Monastery and adjacent 20,000 square foot Retreat and Guest House.

The final phase of their project, he said, began in 2023 with the installation of a ground-mount solar panel array and a ground-sourced heat pump system at the Retreat and Guest House.

Hundt said Holy Wisdom Monastery and the Retreat and Guest House are the third and fourth buildings in Wisconsin to achieve net-zero energy.

He said Hoffman began working with the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael to evaluate its care facility, but the scope of the planning project quickly expanded into making its entire property more sustainable. 

Based on Hoffman’s guidance, Hundt said the Sisters’ remodeled and expanded convent includes a 100% renewable energy microgrid that provides continuous clean energy, on-site electrical vehicle charging and will remain operational during grid outages.

“Both the Benedictine Women and Dominican Sisters have demonstrated that while sustainability efforts take time and planning to implement, net-zero is achievable and reduces operating costs,” he said. “As good stewards of the Earth’s resources, both organizations look to minimize their impact on the environment with every opportunity. Hoffman is extremely honored to have assisted both in their drive to achieve net-zero energy.”