Hrp Associates, Inc. Assists Northeastern U.s. Township In Installation Of Photovoltaic Energy Syste

HRP Associates, Inc., and environmental engineering consulting firm

, assisted a Northeastern U.S. township with the installation of a 34 kW, $187,000 Photovoltaic system at the Town Hall that will produce 40,768 kWh/y, or 20 percent of the buildings annual usage, and result in an electric cost savings of $4,000 per year.

To complete the project, HRP initially completed energy audits to identify potential Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) at the Town Hall, Community Center, DPW, Historical Society, and library. The energy audits, which identified over 100 potential ECMs, consisted of initially benchmarking each buildings Energy Use Intensity (EUI) by inputting energy use information and building characteristics into the EPAs Energy Portfolio Manager to compare each building's energy use profile against buildings of comparable operations, size, and climatic region.

After comparing and understanding the buildings profiles, HRP completed detailed inspections to indentify and understand building equipment operations. The collected information was then analyzed to identify potential ECMs. The costs to implement each ECM and potential cost and energy saving associated with the ECM were calculated using various software, energy estimators, contractor quotes and engineering judgment to indentify each ECM:

Life expectancy and cost savings

Total project cost and estimated annual energy and cost savings based on Simple Payback, Equity Payback and Return on Investment; ECM Annual CO2 Equivalent savings in pounds

Available incentives

Also, during the audit, the feasibility of utilizing renewable energy sources at each of the buildings was evaluated. The analysis determined that geo-thermal was an unfavorable option due to the limited operation of the building, lack of incentives, and good condition of HVAC equipment.

Next, an analysis was conducted of various wind turbines ranging from 5 to 10 kW and various heights. The computer modeling determined that wind powers equity payback ranged from 16 to 24 years; therefore, wind was also rejected.

Lastly, a solar review of the buildings determined that the Town Hall was the best candidate for installation of a PV system due to its electric use, orientation, limited shading, and ease of electrical tie-in.

The PV system was activated on July 27, 2011. Almost immediately, solar energy was converted to AC to help power the Town Hall. For a short period on day one, the system supplied excess power and fed back to the grid.

What a great ending to this project and new sustainable beginning for the town. In just under two weeks, nearly 100 barrels of oil have been replaced!

HRP is a multidiscipline environmental and engineering consulting firm with three decades of experience providing responsive solutions to private and public sector clients. Our services span the globe, as well as the full spectrum of environmental and civil engineering disciplines. Since 1982, HRP has provided flexible and customized service to over 6,000 industrial, government, and private sector clients in nearly every state and over twenty countries.

To learn more about HRP Associates, visit our website at www.hrpassociates.com or call 800-246-9021.

by: HRP Associates

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