Innovative Power Systems
Solar made simple.
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Solar energy is now taking its rightful place in the modern construction industry, with sustainability (i.e. LEED certification, etc.) as the driver. As a solar energy contractor with 16 years experience, we have noticed that there are a few essential components to a successful solar project.
"Elements of a successful solar project"
IPS Solar article from Finance and Commerce, April, 2007
Ralph Jacobson, CEO
Don’t throw away your solar opportunity because of ignorance. Solar works best when it’s included in the design phase. If you wait until later the installation may be more complex, less efficient to install and cost more.
So don’t back down when someone suggests that you cut costs by under-sizing roof beams or any other essential structural work that could compromise your ability to include solar energy in your project. Let me give you a good example.
Flannery Construction is home to the largest commercial solar water and space heating system in the Twin Cities. The success of Flannery’s project was due in large part to having a “solar ready” design process. The structural elements of the roof were designed to take into account the weight of the solar heating installation.
In contrast, two other excellent local companies that we have done work for did not include solar in the initial design process and had to compromise some aspects of their system cost and efficiency of installation because of it.
Have a "solar-ready" design process
Aggressively market solar as early as possible
The sooner the better. “Green” or “sustainable” buildings are the wave of the future, but most people need some education about the financial, social and environment benefits and how they can fit into the process.
If your company is going to be involved with a cutting-edge multi-million dollar project for the next few years, it makes sense to let prospective tenants/buyers know about it as early as possible. Consider approaching potential tenants/buyers who are already aggressively marketing their company as “green” or could benefit from doing so.
Help create a market support system for your solar project
If you want to have the best technical, financial and regulatory resources available for your projects, you must consider how you can become more pro-active in helping to create market mechanisms that support the solar industry. Consider what role you could take in following areas:
Help create trade allies out of the gas and electric industries. The gas and electric industries need to see solar energy as their ally, not as their competitor. For example, a solar electric installation on just one home in an average U.S. neighborhood on a hot July afternoon can mean the difference between that entire neighborhood having electricity or having that entire neighborhood black out.
Help create a trade ally out of the insurance industry. The insurance industry is beginning to realize that they will play a big role in sustainability, both nationally and internationally. What they choose to insure and why will greatly effect the profitability of your sustainable developments in the future.
There currently are no widely agreed-upon industry standards for "solar-ready" design. Some government and non-profit agencies have published material on the subject, but they cannot offer you any kind of warranty or guarantee that the information they provide you with will achieve your goals.
While there are some general rules of thumb for solar-ready design, most design is site-specific and climate region specific. In addition, solar-ready design for heating systems is much different than design for PV (photovoltaic) systems.
IPS Solar is a design / build contractor with over 16 years experience. We have designed and installed hundreds of solar energy systems. We strongly encourage you to include us on your design team before you start your next project.
Is your project solar-ready?
It all starts with design!
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