The ground mounted photovoltaic (PV) array is located just north of the building site, facing South for optimal performance conditions. It is a 296kW array and will produce all the energy consumed by the KEC over a year, making the facility Net-Zero Energy, which is expected to be 44.7 kBtu/sq ft annually. The array is connected to the grid and will produces more energy than needed in peak summer months, spinning the electric meter backwards. Then in the winter when solar production is lower the meter would spin forward drawing down on the account balance. The goal is at the end of any given year, the total energy produced and consumed on site balance out to zero.
Since PV is a fairly expensive up-front cost still, it is important to reduce the energy needs as much as possible. The KEC demonstrate a number of technologies to reduce energy needs including building siting, high performance building envelope, ground source heat pumps, earth duct, evacuated tubes, passive ventilation, and sun shading to name a few. Another key element is a commitment from the user group to accurately forecast the expected energy usage and adhere to these guidelines. This will be part of the living and learning experience for those at the KEC. Ultimately, the up front costs are offset by onsite energy production and the overall benefit to avoiding consumption of fossil fuels is a tremendous benefit.
Below are progress shots of the array being installed.
[ pv ductbank from main electric panel to pv switch ]
[ concrete encased pv ductbank ]
[ pv switch ]
[ pv field prep ]
[ pv framing ]
[ pv framing ]
[ pv framing ]
[ pv framing ]
[ pv framing ]
[pv modules on site]
[pv array installation]
[pv array installation]
[pv array installation]
[pv array installation]
[pv array view from faculty terrace]
[pv array installation]
[pv array viewed from the observation deck]
[pv array viewed from the observation deck]
[screening to protect wiring]
[disconnect switch]
[pv panels]
[inverter]
[pv array]
[black powder coated steel support rack]
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