Apr 15 2010
With energy prices increasing, AEG Power Solutions recently took control of its electricity bill by designing and installing the largest commercial rooftop solar system in Plano, Texas.
AEG Power Solutions' rooftop solar system is the largest commercial rooftop solar system in Plano, Texas and features 234 solar modules and six solar inverters
AEG Power Solutions’ North American headquarters uses its new 49-kilowatt system to harvest solar energy and invert the current to feed directly into the building and reduce the amount of electricity purchased from its utility provider. AEG Power Solutions stands to save approximately 40-50 percent on its monthly energy bill.
AEG Power Solutions implements and supports turn-key solar systems that enable places such as commercial buildings and industrial parks to utilize clean, renewable energy. Its solar systems feature solar panels, solar inverters, monitoring, diagnostics and communications equipment, all of which can be supported by smart-grid-enabled standards and can be monitored and maintained by AEG Power Solutions. The company’s own rooftop system features 234 solar modules and 6 solar inverters at the single-story, multi-tenant building, located at 800 Klein Road in Plano. Since AEG Power Solutions leases the space, the entire system was designed to meet the building owner’s guidelines, accommodate the building’s roof capacity and layout, comply with local codes and easily integrate with the local utility grid. AEG Power Solutions was able to cover the majority of the system’s cost using local solar incentives from the utility company as well as federal tax credits. AEG Power Solutions expects to recoup out-of-pocket expenses through energy savings in just a few years.
“Not many companies look forward to receiving their monthly energy bill, but at AEG Power Solutions, we get excited about seeing all of the savings our new rooftop solar system brings,” said Walter Marusak, senior project manager, AEG Power Solutions. “When planning the project, we needed a robust system that allowed us to reduce our carbon footprint as well as operational costs without disturbing the building’s structural integrity or curb appeal. We worked with building management and were able to design and install a low-maintenance system that does its job outside so that we can do ours inside. We’ve been really pleased with the results and look forward to helping other companies interested in gaining energy independence and operational savings achieve similar results.”
The rooftop solar system, which took three weeks to install, features a non-penetrating, ballasted design that anchors the system with weights rather than penetrating the roof’s surface. The solar system could be moved and adjusted for building repairs since the system is not permanently affixed to the roof. With most systems having a 25-year-plus life expectancy, the rooftop system can remain with AEG Power Solutions should it choose to relocate its offices in the future. The system also features photovoltaic (PV) panels tilted at a calculated 15-degree angle to maximize system effectiveness and is designed to withstand the same wind velocity as the roof structure. The solar inverters transition the direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC) for immediate use throughout the building. In the evening, on cloudy days or during other instances when the system is offline, the building’s power seamlessly reverts back to the traditional utility grid for all electrical use. When the system is online, AEG Power Solutions can wirelessly track solar energy collection data and other system information. The company also offers smart grid solutions that can introduce energy storage capabilities to match the building’s demand to lowest cost energy sources depending on the time of day.
Renewable energy solutions are a new strategic focus for AEG Power Solutions’ North American operations. As a Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and Green Grid member, AEG Power Solutions is dedicated to providing its customers with renewable energy alternatives, such as solar which will decrease environmental impact as well as reduce energy costs. With energy conservation and other green practices emerging as a critical part of day-to-day operations, AEG Power Solutions helps educate companies on the promise of renewable energy systems and leads them toward a greener tomorrow.
To strengthen its place in the global renewable energy industry, AEG Power Solutions recently acquired a majority stake in skytron energy, a Germany-based company which specializes in the development and manufacturing of monitoring systems for utility-scale PV power plants. skytron provides leading-edge metering, monitoring and supervision solutions to some of the planet’s largest PV plants. skytron’s PVGuard monitoring software and StringGuard string current metering unit were awarded the prestigious Intersolar 2008 Innovation Award for their technical excellence.
Commenting on the acquisition, Bruce Brock, CEO of AEG Power Solutions, said, “Combining skytron’s monitoring and supervision products with our power electronics and experienced global services network will allow us to offer operators highly reliable technology and expertise for the integration, implementation and operation of rugged solutions for greater system availability and higher energy yields. This skytron product line also brings a strategic technology needed for smart grid compatible application solutions.”