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| Independence Power completes new PV system  Independence Power has completed its first large scale commercial PV system in Commerce, California, at the Electrical Training Institute of Southern California. The system, which consists of independent 267 kilowatt and 189 kilowatt systems, is a rooftop installation at this training center for union electricians for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW Local Union 11. The system utilized several new structural and electrical construction techniques which Independence Power features in its designs. As a result, the combined systems are expected to produce over 900,000 kWh per year, making it one of the highest producing systems in the Los Angeles area.The system was designed using a computer model to minimize DC wiring runs. Custom junction boxes are strategically placed, and utilize conductors that are three levels above code ampacity to construct the system to achieve less than .3 percent power loss. The 'ruggedized' design includes the use of conduit for all wiring runs. The structural design provides an optimum economic tilt for the system, and utilizes only 30% of the roof area. The weight of the system rests entirely on the building structure, and not on the roof surface. It was also designed to survive a seismic event with up to 45% of the force of gravity in the horizontal direction and includes the first deployment of Independence Power's IDEA monitoring system. This system, which includes web reporting software, provides both instantaneous and periodic measurement of the PV system output, as well as power utilization in various parts of the facility. The system was constructed using 2610 Kyocera solar modules. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Construction News :: home page |