Solar Energy
Burns Engineering is assisting Federal, airport and transit agencies in analyzing the cost effectiveness of solar power generation, as well as providing design and implementation of several exciting projects.
Renewable energy initiatives, along with changing utility power rate structures, are creating interesting opportunities to supplement existing electric power sources with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Solar incentives range from direct rebates and grants to tax credits and low interest loans.
Burns’ services in the solar photovoltaic power generation market include:
• Feasibility studies to determine the payback and cost effectiveness of PV installation based on utility rate structure
• Analysis of site and weather conditions to determine optimal arrangement of PV modules for most efficient power generation
• Design of roof, carport and ground mounted PV systems
• Design of performance metering with weather and inverter data acquisition systems for web-based monitoring
• Design of utility connections in accordance with regulatory requirements
• Structural support and site layout considerations
• Commissioning and testing
• Guidance for ARRA materials and monitoring requirements
• Rebate and incentive documentation to the utility
In addition to the practical renewable energy benefit, solar power has the public relations benefit of demonstrating sustainability leadership to your customers.
Burns is currently working with the Naval Facilities Command, Southwest District to design and install photovoltaic power generating systems ranging from 100kW to 500kW and supported by vehicle canopy structures at various military bases in California. The project’s benefits include reducing the military’s dependency on the civilian electrical grid as well as enabling power to be put back into the local utility grid, creating utility cost savings for the military.
Complementing Burns’ expertise in the feasibility study, design and installation of solar photovoltaic power generating systems, our energy specialists have successfully assisted numerous municipal, industrial and military clients with energy audits, energy conservation analyses, utilization of Federal and state incentive programs and energy procurement. If you would like to learn more about Burns Engineering’s approach to solar and other energy solutions, please contact John Burns, PE, LEED AP at 215-979-7702 or jburns@burns-group.com.
Posted on Aug 3, 02:05 PM