Hanvey Engineering & Design

This 6.6 kW photovoltaic system was led by Appalachian State University’s student-led Renewable Energy Initiative. As a grid-tied, net-metered system it is relatively straight-forward, consisting of twenty-six 255 watt Siliken modules and Enphase M215 micro-inverters. The array is laid out on the western and central roof sections of the bus shelter at the Traffic Circle, a central and highly visible spot on campus.

Earlier this month, Appalachian State University hosted the Appalachian Energy Summit along with the Rocky Mountain Institute to collaborate within the UNC system “to create a strategic sustainable energy path for the mutual benefit of our students, the environment, and the world.” While that might sound like a lofty vision, ASU has long shown foresight on that front. Just ask any member of our team here at Sundance and they’ll confirm that, as there is a strong likelihood that they graduated from the University’s Appropriate Technology Program, one of the few degreed programs in the region for renewable energy.  However, the number and diversity of operational renewable energy systems on campus stand as testimony to the fact that ASU has been a proactive leader on the Energy scene for years.  And, of course, there is the student-driven Renewable Energy Initiative (featured in Community Connections) that has been the force for seeing many of the clean energy projects implemented.

The most recent of these is the 6.6 kW solar electric system that is mounted atop the ASU Traffic Circle Bus Shelter. According to Matt Allenbaugh, REI’s Project Manager on this installation, “the system is in a very visible location and it has become the first stop on most of our campus renewable energy tours.” He also added that this site was ideal because there was existing conduit running from the bus stop to the chiller plant, which saved time, money and materials on the installation.

As a grid-tied, net-metered system, it is relatively straight-forward, consisting of twenty-six 255 watt Siliken modules. The array is laid out on the western and central roof sections, with 13 modules installed on each roof section. The lower portion of the roof was left vacant due to shading from the building to the south. However, the system uses micro-inverters (Enphase M215s) and the REI team is excited to be able to demonstrate this newer technology that converts DC to AC on a per module basis. Jamie Trowbridge, REI’s Public Relations Officer, said “The Library Traffic Circle PV system that Sundance designed and installed is the first one on campus that uses micro-inverters. Micro-inverters help maintain system performance in the event of partial shading. Partial shading of even a single module can lower performance across the entire system with traditional, central inverters.”

Including system monitoring and display systems for the buildings and systems on campus is one of REI’s goals, according to Matt.  Monitoring allows for real time data to be viewed, making the benefits more tangible to students and visiting public.  “The renewable energy systems on campus have become a point of pride for Appalachian State.  Students and faculty have been very supportive of the REI’s work,” he continued.

In addition to working on this system, our team has also appreciated being involved with these other renewable energy projects at ASU: Frank Residence Hall , Wind for Schools , and The E3 House. We are excited to see the AppalCART Office and Maintenance Facility nearing completion, with its solar-thermal supported radiant floor system. (Look for a feature on this in the near future.) These, along with all the other REI Projects, definitely put ASU further down the ‘strategic sustainable energy path’ than participants in the Summit might have realized, showing us all what is possible when there is a commitment to clean energy

This 36 kW system, utilizing high-efficiency PV technology on a rooftop of a residency hall at Appalachian State University is the latest in renewable energy projects led by students and the Renewable Energy Initiative.

Returning students to Frank Residence Hall at Appalachian State University (ASU) will be coming back to their solar- powered dorm to find that the sun is now providing their electricity rather than heating their water. The solar thermal system has been updated with a 36 kW grid-tied solar electric system on the LEED Gold certified building over the summer. While our crews are wrapping up a few final details, the system is producing power through photovoltaic (PV) technology, just in time for the new semester.

We were awarded this solar thermal to PV system replacement through a competitive bid through project consultants Innovative Design, Inc.  Both the original hot water system, which was installed in 2009, and this newest campus solar electric installation, are projects of The Appalachian State Renewable Energy Initiative (REI.) This student-led, student-funded organization seeks to install renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on campus that are carried out with the help of faculty and staff advisors by the REI committee.

REI-driven projects, such as the 6.6 kW pv system we installed in 2012 on the Traffic Circle,  offer students learning opportunities while reducing energy costs for the University and helping them meet their Climate Leadership Commitment and work towards carbon neutrality. Jamie Trowbridge, who served as REI’s Public Relations Officer at the time of that project, is now working on our Design team. In reflecting upon the experiences being active with REI afforded him he replied “AppState’s Renewable Energy Initiative provides students a powerful opportunity to plan and execute renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, while learning how to interface with a large, public institution. It makes the coursework that much more tangible, and, when everything syncs up, the REI and the university are able to accomplish truly inspiring feats, like the Broyhill Wind Turbine. I am thankful for my time as a student at AppState and as a member of the REI. Now, it’s great to be working with Sundance, another renewable energy pioneer.”  (And, while a bit of a side note, at least 3 of our field installation members working on the Frank installation this summer have come out of ASU’s Appropriate Technologies Program.)

Utilizing the latest technology, the Production Report generated through HelioScope for the system calculates 55.51 MWh of clean energy will be produced annually.  108 high efficiency LG NeON 2 Series  335 watt modules, featuring enhanced warranty, durability, performance under real environment, and aesthetic design were selected.   It’s double-sided cell structure generates additional power as light from the rear of the module is reabsorbed. The array was mounted to the existing racking after the hot water collectors were carefully removed, at an optimal fixed tilt angle of 35 degrees and an azimuth of 183.6.  A 208 v Fronius grid-tie inverter package  and   three  Fronius  Symo  3-phase 10 kW inverters bring  high system voltage, a wide input voltage range,  MPP trackers for increased efficiency and maximum flexibility in system design. Additionally, SMA TS4-R optimization module-technology was used for its complete module-level monitoring and shutdown, and optimization in partial shading.    Fronius’ Datamanager sends the PV system values directly to the Fronius online portal, with ambient temperature, module temperature, and  irradiation data being recorded through sensors.

While technology is always progressing, this system is set to inspire ASU students for years as they help drive the future towards clean energy. One can only guess at the impact it will have over the course of its lifetime atop Frank Hall, but it has already served a significant purpose for the REI team that had the opportunity to bring yet another renewable energy project to campus.

Photo  and Video of Installation credit to ASU.

Two Fire Stations have each been fitted with a 2 collector solar hot water system as part of the City of Asheville’s sustainability initiatives.

This incredible initiative is too big to be the fruit of just one’s labor, but is the result of synergistic collaborations that were inspired by the vision of a team, AIR’s Green Team, led by Kevin Westmoreland from the Corner Kitchen, Randy Talley from the Green Sage, and Rosetta Star from Rosetta’s Kitchen, and Peter Pollay from Posanas, all of whom have long been leaders on the sustainability front in their operations. A grant from the NC Green Business Fund, and hours of project administration by Tim Ballard of BRSI, helped make it possible.

 

The overarching goal of this project is to establish Asheville as the greenest dining destination in the country, with seventeen restaurants aiming to achieve Green Certified Restaurant® status through the national Green Restaurant Association by Summer 2012, according to Katie Cavert, BRSI’s Communications Coordinator. This effort will not only benefit local restaurants, but will also have a positive impact on economic development and tourism, as well as job creation in our community. The funding will enhance the restaurants’ efforts to promote energy conservation, improve energy efficiency, and increase the use of renewable energy. Specific measures implemented on participating restaurants include a training course for energy conservation practices, HVAC and refrigeration improvements, and lighting upgrades. . These improvements are expected to reduce the energy consumption of the restaurants by 12%, saving a great amount in operating costs and 3.4 billion BTUs, but the end results could surpass all expectations.

Sundance was pleased to have been awarded the contract for the Solar Installations through a competitive bid process. According to Tim Ballard “Sundance proposed top quality system materials and demonstrated a keen attention to detail to ensure each system will meet the needs of the individual restaurants.” Indeed, Evan Becka and Drew Cates spent countless hours designing each system after examining each restaurant’s site, water usage patterns and temperature requirements. Another attractive element of our proposal was that the solar collectors specified for the project are manufactured in Morrisville, NC by SolarHot. Using regionally-made products was valued by the team for its stimulus to our state’s green economy, however, the Solstice collectors were also chosen for their top quality performance and high efficiency ratings. (The collectors used at the Green Sage south are an exception, where Kioto tray- style collectors were used to blend with the building’s slate roof, much like skylights.)

Ultimately, each system is as unique as are the restaurants they serve, varying from four collector systems at HomeGrown and Luella’s to 10 collectors at Neo Cantina, and each had its own challenges to overcome. A significant precedent was set in Biltmore Village when the Historic Resources Commission approved the installation as the tilt angle of the collectors was declined to 25 degrees to reduce their visibility. In contrast, Luella’s collectors are greatly visible as they are mounted away from the building to orient south. The most creative engineering solution was the construction of a racking system on reinforcing steel I-beams that are supported by the building’s parapet walls, a modification made in response to structural concerns of the historic Adler Building in downtown. The French Broad Chocolate Lounge and Posana Café, whose restaurants back up to each other, share this impressive racking with a total of 11 collectors in the two arrays.

Earth Day: Asheville Leads America’s Greenest Dining Destinations

Sundance was pleased to have been awarded the contract for the Solar Installations through a competitive bid process. According to Tim Ballard “Sundance proposed top quality system materials and demonstrated a keen attention to detail to ensure each system will meet the needs of the individual restaurants.” Indeed, Evan Becka and Drew Cates spent countless hours designing each system after examining each restaurant’s site, water usage patterns and temperature requirements. Another attractive element of our proposal was that the solar collectors specified for the project are manufactured in Morrisville, NC by SolarHot. Using regionally-made products was valued by the team for its stimulus to our state’s green economy, however, the Solstice collectors were also chosen for their top quality performance and high efficiency ratings. (The collectors used at the Green Sage south are an exception, where Kioto tray- style collectors were used to blend with the building’s slate roof, much like skylights.)

Ultimately, each solar hot water systems installed by Sundance Power Systems is as unique as are the restaurants they serve, varying from four collector systems at HomeGrown and Luella’s to 10 collectors at Neo Cantina, and each had its own challenges to overcome. A significant precedent was set in Biltmore Village when the Historic Resources Commission approved the installation as the tilt angle of the collectors was declined to 25 degrees to reduce their visibility. In contrast, Luella’s collectors are greatly visible as they are mounted away from the building to orient south. The most creative engineering solution was the construction of a racking system on reinforcing steel I-beams that are supported by the building’s parapet walls, a modification made in response to structural concerns of the historic Adler Building in downtown. The French Broad Chocolate Lounge and Posana Café, whose restaurants back up to each other, share this impressive racking with a total of 11 collectors in the two arrays.

It is very exciting to be part of this grant and the movement of AIR restaurants to become greener and have less of an impact on our environment. Asheville has had a long standing outlook on pro-sustainability and AIR restaurants want to do our part to support that effort.”

Peter Pollay
Owner of Posana Café and AIR Board Treasurer

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“We strive to be conscientious of our extended and immediate environments. It is our priority as a business, and as individuals to act in accordance with a long term plan towards worldwide sustainability, participating fully in the green revolution in Cool Green Asheville. We do it because it is the right thing to do.”

Sherrye Coggiola
Neo Cantina

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“It was a real pleasure to be a part of these projects. It’s exciting to help contribute to the Asheville skyline! I’m more proud than ever to call Asheville my home.”

Dan Hettinger & Sundance
Project Manager

Four flush mounted 4 x 8 collectors provide domestic hot water and assist their heating system.  Late 2011, Bob Adams added to his Investment by installing a 5KW Photovoltaic Array.

A 9.45 kW solar power system installed by Sundance Power Systems is laid out of the south-facing roof of this unique building designed by architect Bakhtiar S Alam. It is one of the first to be grid-tied to Morganton’s Public Power.

Commercial Spotlight: 333StatGreen

On the corner of Bethel Road and 333 Eastview Street in Morganton, NC stands a newly constructed building that undoubtedly is the talk of the town.  “333StatGreen” is an architectural eye-catcher with its uniquely angled roof lines, but it also serves as an eye- opener to environmentally sustainable design and building practices. A vision of Bakhtiar S Alam, AIA, it embodies the design declaration that his practice, Elan Architect, is established on: “Fulfilling the ‘desire’ and the ‘need’ of the user- The process must meet the user’s expectations at all levels… keeping in mind the issue of social justice, economic viability and environmental sustainability.”

“Elan” is defined as an “ardor inspired by passion or enthusiasm” and “distinctive and stylish elegance” both of which are carried through in Bakhtiar’s work.  However, he credits his inspiration to another meaning from the Native American tradition-  “friendly to Mother Earth.”  True to that intention, 333StatGreen is an Energy Star certified building, and incorporates various efficiency measures. The building’s exterior is 100% sustainable western red cedar, and other materials were chosen for their low-impact footprint as well.  An extensive rainwater catchment system includes a buried 1,700 gallon storage tank, and the reclaimed water is used for flushing commodes and for irrigation. More obvious, however, is the solar power system installed by Sundance Power Systems that is mounted on the building’s south-facing roof.

Solar Power Installed by Sundance Power Systems

Including this 9.5 kW photovoltaic, or solar power, system was a significant step in making the building more sustainable, but as Bakhtiar put it…“You know what is right. Why choose what is cheap or bad?” After the system’s first 3 months of operations, the inverter showed that well over 4,000 pounds of CO2 have been saved, a figure that brought a radiant smile to Bakhtiar.  Comprised of forty-four 255 watt Sanyo photovoltaic modules, the system is grid-tied through 2 SMA SunnyBoy 5000 inverters to the municipally owned electrical distribution system.  Dan Brown, Electrical Director of Morganton’s Public Power, says this is the 3^rd solar system to be tied to their system and is excited about bringing on more.   “We try to be customer friendly and to meet their needs and requests.  For a small city, we are as progressive as we can possibly be.”  In support of bringing on more solar, they offer a payment for clean energy that is brought to their grid and also work with NC GreenPower.

Recognizing that “being a Good Neighbor is being a Green Neighbor” State Farm Insurance Agent Karin Cook relocated her office into the light and airy first-floor office space of 333StatGreen at the first of the month.  As she said, “State Farm is committed to a future where environmental solutions are key to the way we do business.  Moving to an energy certified, environmentally designed office is part of that solution.  I hope my environmentally friendly actions will encourage others to follow in my footsteps.”  Nationally, State Farms’ major facilities have a combined Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star score of 86, meaning the buildings are more energy efficient than 86 percent of comparable buildings in the U.S. Undoubtedly, 333StatGreen is one of the most efficient to hit the streets of Morganton.

While the first floor of the building is now occupied, the second floor apartment is newly complete and is ready for someone to call it home. Find out more about this project and  Bakhtiar’s work at www.elanarchitect.com