Our Projects

1.322 MW Solar Photovoltaic Generation System

Environmental Attributes

Avoided Emissions:

• CO2: 1,525,157 lbs/yr
• SO2: 10,557 lbs/yr
• NO2: 3,473 lbs/yr

Carbon Footprint Reduction:

• Planted Trees: 205 acres
• Preserved Forest: 5.65 acres
• Gasoline Conserved: 78,850 gallons/yr
• Passenger Car Travel: 1,884,527 miles/yr

System Specifications

• 1,322,250 Watts – DC: 6,150 Kyocera KD215 GX-LPU
• 2-3/4 Acres: Satcon PowerGate Plus 250 KW
• Satcon PowerGate Plus 500 KW
• SMA America SunnyCentral 500U
• 1,400,399 Kilowatt-Hours – AC
• 100% of Estimated Annual Demand

Notable Features

Exoskeleton – “Solar Bridge”

Installation of the system included the construction of a specialty support structure upon which the solar panels are installed. The structure was specifically designed for this facility such that it not only facilitated the installation of the solar array but reinforced the load bearing capability of the roof as well. The exoskeleton also includes the design of a “snow guard” (shown in the previous picture) to alleviate damming of snow on the solar array and building itself.

Building Electrical Service Upgrade

Included in this design is a complete upgrade of the electrical service to the facility. To that end, the existing 500kVA transformer was replaced with a new 1500kVA transformer. The electrical service was further upgraded with the installation of a new 2500amp switchgear service that was designed and built within two weeks versus the 12 to 14 week lead time normally required for such units.

How the System “Works”

The solar cells you see on the rooftop are called photovoltaic (PV) cells – “photo” meaning “light” and “voltaic” meaning “electricity.” PV cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon which convert sunlight directly into electricity. When light strikes the cell, a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor material. The energy knocks the electrons loose allowing them to flow freely. The flow of electrons is a current, and by placing metal contacts on the top and bottom of the PV cell, the current can be drawn off for external use. This current, together with the cell’s voltage, defines the power (or wattage) that the solar cell can produce. An inverter then converts the DC (direct current) power produced by the solar panels to common household AC (alternating current) power.

When the PV system is generating power, the facility consumes the power from the solar system before taking electricity from the utility grid. If the system provides more power than needed, the excess power gets channeled back into the utility company’s grid, generating a credit on NFI’s bill. This is referred to as “grid tied and net-metering.” Net-metering is an energy incentive whereby excess electricity produced by the system spins the meter backwards, storing electricity in the utility grid until it is needed. The meter then spins “forward” when the PV system is not producing all the electricity being used by the facility and tracks the “net” difference.

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