Page 55 - Designing for Zero Carbon - Case Studies of All-Electric Buildings

MAKERS QUARTER BLOCK D OFFICE BUILDING
CASE STUDY NO. 2
Renewable On-Site Energy Supply
The six-story building uses a flat-panel solar photovoltaic (PV) system as its on-site renewable energy supply. Since the stated project goal is to achieve a zero-net-energy performance for the core-and-shell part of the building, the size of the PV system had to be as large as possible for this large multistory building on a relatively small site. The only possible location for the PV system is the roof since the site is completely covered by the building. To maximize the system size, PV panels are even mounted above the VRF mechanical equipment and other sections of the PV array are extended beyond the roof parapet itself on metal trellis structures. (See solar PV panel roof layout on the following page.)
In addition, the PV panels that extend beyond the parapet are bifacial type, with a transparent rather than opaque backsheet so that they collect solar energy from both sides. The production of these panels is increased by about 20% over that produced by conventional PV panels.
The resulting installation consists of 175 standard panels (LG NeON R) totaling 63.9 kW and 132 bifacial panels (Sunpreme – Maxima 320) totaling 50.7 kW, projected to produce a total of 173,000 kWh per year. Actual production in 2019 was 141,000 kWh—see discussion in the fol- lowing section.
(Below) Bifacial solar PV panels mounted on metal trellis structures projecting beyond the face of the build- ing increase the overall size of the system.
PHOTO: NICK MERRICK, HALL MERRICK PHOTOGRAPHERS
Designing for Zero Carbon: Volume 1 PHOTO: NICK MERRICK 41