OBJECTIVE:
The Power of the Sun
The scope of the project was to incorporate a renewable energy generation system in the form of a solar PV array to offset the energy consumed at the Dane County Job Center, thereby taking responsibility for energy used in service to the County operations. A study was prepared at the New Holland Pavilions and Job Center, and given the year-round activities at the Job Center, resources were devoted to this site study.
SOLUTION:
Economic Energy Use
Strang is intimately familiar with this facility. We have completed a top to bottom building condition report followed by an extensive renovation of all mechanical and electrical systems, ceilings, and lighting in the areas related to this facility. We have also replaced the roofing and designed the solar array covering most of the roof surface. Strang’s advanced energy modeling capabilities led to informed decisions throughout the entire design process.
This site was first evaluated for energy consumption, and the rooftop was evaluated for support of an array that would work alongside the existing electrical infrastructure. Based on the options offered, a solar array of 170kW would yield the most favorable solution. Our design team targeted 226,000 kWh per year of potential energy savings. In dollars, this translates to $25,000 per year. This represents significant savings to the county. Across a useful life of 20 years, this equates to $500,000. With a project cost of $500,000, the project cost is a wash.
In terms of sustainability, this project took responsibility for on-site energy use by on-site generation using the mighty power of the sun. Fossil fuel consumption was displaced with light as a non-polluting power source. The project is also nestled in a residential neighborhood and by locating the array on the roof of an existing structure, the project had no impact on the neighborhood’s aesthetics, noise, and carbon pollution.
