Page 85 - Zero Net Energy Case Study Buildings-Volume 3

CALIFORNIA DMV FIELD OFFICE
CASE STUDY NO. 14
Renewable On-Site Energy Supply
The change order to the project that added the solar photovoltaic arrays and the ancillary equip- ment and supporting structures occurred several months into construction. The DGS hired a consultant to calculate the PV system output required to meet a likely load for the building as designed. Analysis revealed that the required array size was larger than the building roof, so canopy structures were also added in the parking area to accommodate the additional panels needed. Some extra panels were added for electric vehicle charging stations that were installed for customer use as well.
The result was a 304 kW system installed on the site (600 panels) and the building (350 panels). A panel monitoring system provides information about power produced at the inverters on an hourly basis and also measures the amount of irradiation emitted from the panels to determine if the panels require cleaning or maintenance. The energy generation data is sent to a flat panel display in the Lobby as part of an informational outreach program for the public.
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PHOTO: PAUL MULLINS