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Solar System and Component Descriptions • We designed the system to be showcase to promote our offering and abilities with solar for our entry in the renewable market. • This project was intended to be a learning vehicle for the Renewable Group.
Solar System and Component Descriptions • 47.2 KW solar array • Consists of 189-250w panels • Installed in the fall of 2012 • System is a Net Metering configuration • Covers about a 1/3 of the power for our 85,000 sq ft facility
Mounting system • Our mounting system is an Arista non-invasive system by Cooper Industries. (No penatrations in the roof) • The quantity of pavers was calculated by weight as required to prevent the system from lifting under 100 mph plus winds. • We required 15 pallets (2250 concrete pavers), each paver weighing 21 lbs. • Our roofing contractor required us to install an additional 90 mm of membrane in the area of the solar system to protect the original 35 mm membrane. This was to maintain our warranty.
Solar Panels • We used Jinko Solar JMK250M 250 watt panels. • The system configures as 9 arrays. • Each array consists of 7 strings in parallel. • Each string consists of 3 panels wired together in series. 3 panels in series is rated at 8.70 amps and 112.8 vdc. • The 7 strings per array put out 60.9 amps at the 112.8 vdc. Each of the arrays is tied to an inverter.
Combiner Box • The combiner boxes are manufactured by Mersen. • These boxes were custom designed for us as we have also incorporated a shunt trip which will become a code item in the future. • The shunt gives firemen entering the building the ability to shut down the system. • The combiner box “combines” the 7 strings.
Inverter • The inverter we chose is manufactured by Sustainable Energy Technologies. • The inverter converts the dc current and voltage to ac current and voltage, in our case 1 phase 208vac. • These inverters are rated for cold weather (-40 deg C) so are mounted on the roof at the arrays. This minimizes losses in the system.
Max Monthly Efficiency (All Inverters, DC/AC Conversion): February 2017 to June 2017 Max Monthly Efficiency (All Strings): February 2017 to June 2017
Key Points Overall cost for Material was roughly $300,000.00 Cost overruns for structural upgrades $50,000.00 Modifications to roof membrane $50,000.00
Key Points Since installation we have done zero maintenance With the 30 degree angle on the panels, they are more or less self cleaning
Key Points At roughly .09/kwh we would generate about $6,142.00/year in revenue. That is roughly 68,230 KWH per year. The approx payback would be 50 plus years. With todays price for material and install it would be roughly a 10 year payback in comparison. This gives you a good snap shot on how the market has come down in just 7 short years.
Summary The solar project was a learning experience. It gave us a working knowledge from design through installation. And importantly, we are able to review real data, not just theoretical production potential. With everything learned, in future installations problems would be mitigated.
Thank You
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