VOTE: 2015 Solar Builder Project of the Year Awards — Ground-mounted

Charlton Solar

Charlton, Mass.
Completed: Dec. 31, 2014
Size: 4.4-MW DC

Constrained by population densities and interconnection capacity, most optimal solar sites in the Northeast have already been developed, leaving more challenging landscapes necessitating site-specific designs. The 4.4-MW Charlton Solar plant in Massachusetts, one of two “managed growth” projects built in 2014 that required creative engineering and operational solutions. Steep slopes and a ledge needed blasting, complex drainage solutions were implemented to control storm water and innovative construction management enabled swift installation on undulating terrain. Despite challenges, Charlton Solar took just five months to complete after acquisition closing. Its success demonstrates solar’s readiness to curb surging energy costs in the region.

Developer: Nexamp
Contractor: Nexamp
Module: Yingli Solar
Inverter: AE Solar
Mounting: RBI Solar

Santa Ana Golf Club Solar Carport

Bernalillo, N.M.
Completed: April 30, 2015
Size: 250 kW

You’ve seen solar carports, probably many of them, but you haven’t seen solar carports like this. The Santa Ana Golf Club solar carport epitomizes the balance of form and function. This solar carport consists of two structures, each spanning 336-ft in length by 38-ft width, with a total of 840 310-watt solar modules and utilizes the solar modules to generate energy while simultaneously offering guests a shaded area to park their cars during the day. Twenty-eight steel columns span the structure, consisting of 26 bays, each with an LED light to softly light up the structure at night. The minimalist design, beautifully integrated Spanish-style steel corbels, locally sourced hand-fused glass emblems of the Santa Ana Golf Club logo and a custom color pallet create a seamless integration with the surrounding buildings.

“Our fundamental belief is that renewable energy systems should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing,” Osceola Energy said. “All too often we hear that ‘solar is ugly,’ and we stand to challenge that perception. Our motto is ‘solar so beautiful, you’ll want to show it off.’

Developer: Osceola Energy
Contractor: Osceola Energy
Module: Canadian Solar
Inverter: SMA – Sunny Tripower 15000TL-US, 24000TL-US
Module: S-Flex

Sunnyside Ranch Community Solar Array

Carbondale, Colo.
Completed: April 30, 2015
Size: 1.79-MW

The Sunnyside Ranch Community Solar Array boasts a single-axis tracking system and is located adjacent to the now-capped Carbondale Landfill in the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley in Western Colorado. This community solar project was developed in conjunction with Holy Cross Energy, the local electric cooperative. Holy Cross customers purchase a percentage of the project and are credited on their electric bill for power generated by their portion of the array (and other gear, of course). The project sold out quickly to owners including Eagle County, Alpine Bank, the Town of Carbondale and several other participants. This community solar concept allows owners to generate power at a site with excellent solar access and with no visual issues. The project is maintained and insured by the developer, thus eliminating peripheral and long-term concerns. This model is being replicated throughout the U.S. and provides another avenue to participate in the solar electric solution.

Developer: Clean Energy Collective
Contractor: Sunsense Solar
Module: Hanwha SolarOne
Inverter: Solectria
Mounting: Array Technologies Inc.

USVI Solar I

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Completed: Feb 2015
Size: 5 MW

USVI Solar I is the largest PV plant in the US Virgin Islands and is expected to generate approximately 7.9 million kWh of electricity annually. The array is the hallmark product of the island’s sole utility, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority’s (WAPA), sustainability initiative. The array is situated on a steep hill that was unusable for other development, and it utilized innovative ground screw technology to connect directly to the rock face of the hill. Additionally, the system uses a distributed string inverter architecture, with 96 separate inverters connected to 10 transformers. Since the array is located in an area prone to hurricanes, the smaller inverters will allow the site to remain online in the case of external or equipment faults. The project site is a challenging location to install a solar array due to the steep hillside terrain, as well as the island’s heavy rainfall and strong winds of approximately 195 mph. Because the project makes up a significant percentage of the generation connected to the local grid, additional studies were required to ensure the plant would not destabilize the grid. To overcome these obstacles, the group worked in close partnership with structural engineers, civil engineers and local authorities to develop products that could resist the extreme weather, prevent destabilization of the grid, and protect the site from erosion.

Developer: EPC: System 3
Contractor: ECO Innovations VI LLC
Modules: Aide Solar, Yingli Solar
Inverter: KACO
Mounting: RBI Solar

Clark Public Utilities Community Solar Project

Portland, Oregon
Completed: July 2015
Size: 319 kW

Clark Public Utilities Community Solar Project allows customers who cannot or choose not to acquire PV systems on their own to purchase solar power directly from Clark Public Utilities. Participants funded the five solar projects via participation fees and in turn will receive all the benefits produced by the solar arrays. Participants will recoup their participation fee in the projects through Washington State incentives and annual energy credits in less than four years and afterward will continue to receive energy credits on their utility accounts. All residential customers of Clark Public Utilities were eligible to purchase a piece of the Community Solar Project and shares sold out on the first day. Based on demand, three more projects were developed and shares for all sold out in less than one month. One share of Community Solar is equal to 1/12 of a solar panel and cost $100. Customers could purchase one share or up to 100 shares.

Developer: Clark Public Utilities
Contractor: A & R Solar
Modules: Itek Energy
Inverter: Itek Energy
Mounting: SunModo Corp.

View More: http://cotyjones.pass.us/bucktownsolar

Cambridge Solar

Cambridge, Maryland
Completed: May-15
Size: 4.3 MW

Cambridge Solar is one of the first of its kind to enable a leading non-profit institution to benefit from both the economic and environmental benefits of solar power. This innovative approach is rapidly gaining traction among commercial and industrial customers nationwide. The project delivered multiple benefits to the customer, the owner, the region and other stakeholders, including: • Long-term, fixed price procurement that supports sustainability commitments and goals aligned with the mission of the National Aquarium;
• Integration of a large-scale renewable energy project into a holistic energy plan for a large institution, encompassing retail energy services and energy efficiency improvements; and
• New electric generation capacity on the Eastern Shore bolstering resilience and reliability for the local electricity grid.

Developer: OneEnergy Renewables
Contractor: groSolar
Modules: Hanwha
Inverter: SMA-America
Mounting: Schletter

Now…Vote!
Or, check out the roof-mounted nominees

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: http://solarbuildermag.com/news/vote-2015-project-of-the-year-ground-mounted/]