System and method for building cooling-based gross energy load modification modeling with the aid of a digital computer

A method for building cooling-based gross energy load modification modeling with the aid of a digital computer, comprising:

• obtaining by a computer system, the computer system comprising at least one processor and memory within which code for execution by the processor is stored, a gross energy load associated with a building based on electricity provided to the building by a power utility and energy provided to the building by an on-site renewable energy system, wherein space conditioning equipment in the building is used for cooling of the building;
• estimating by the computer system an overall thermal performance of the building by conducting an empirical test comprising remotely controlling one of a heating source and a cooling source inside the building;
• and
• modeling by the computer system an effect of one or more changes to the overall thermal performance of the building;
• determining by the computer system a characteristic of further space conditioning equipment necessary for the cooling of the building with the changed overall thermal performance and model an effect on the gross energy load of switching the space conditioning equipment to the further space conditioning equipment for the cooling of the building;
• and
• determining by the computer system a characteristic of a further on-site renewable energy system necessary to power the further space conditioning equipment.