We at Solar Builder are happy to announce our second annual Project of the Year awards. We had a big increase in submissions this year for our two categories — roof-mount and ground-mount — and these are ultimately the best of the best. Winners were chosen by our readers, and the turnout was huge — voting increased by 140% over 2013’s awards. A big thanks to all who participated!
Click the links below to see the winners, runner-ups and honorable mentions for both categories. Many innovative practices were adopted for each project, and most had significant community impacts. We’re excited to see what new systems will be built in 2015 and win next year’s awards.
In the meantime, enjoy these fantastic projects that are encouraging the growth of solar across North America by clicking on their photos. Congratulations to our 2014 winners!
Winners
Ground-Mount
Anthony Wayne Solar Array
Toledo, Ohio
2.1 MW
Developer/Contractor: GEM Energy (of the Rudolph/Libbe Companies)
Modules: Calyxo
Inverters: Nextronex
Mounting: AP Alternatives
Roof-Mount
Solar for Seals
Laguna Beach, California
15.635 kW
Developers: Residents Organized for a Safe Environment, Planet Earth Solar and Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Contractor: Planet Earth Solar
Modules: SolarWorld
Inverters: Enphase
Mounting: Everest Solar
Runner-Ups
Ground-Mount
College of the Desert Carport
Palm Desert, California
3.8 MW
Developer: College of the Desert c/o SunPower Corp.
Contractors: Oltmans Construction Co.
Modules: SunPower
Inverters: Schneider Electric
Mounting: SunPower
Roof-Mount
Grow Community
Bainbridge Island, Washington
112 kW and growing
Developer: Asani LLC
Contractor: PHC Construction, A&R Solar
Modules: Itek Energy
Inverters: APS America
Mounting: SunModo
Honorable Mentions
Ground-Mount
Plymouth Public Schools
Plympton, Massachusetts
5.7 MW
Developer/Contractor: Borrego Solar
Modules: Yingli Solar
Inverter Manufacturer: SMA America
Mounting/Racking Manufacturer: SunLink
Ground-Mount
Treasure Valley Solar
Project Location: Rutland, Massachusetts
Project Size: 6 MW
Developer: Nexamp
Contractors: Coghlin Electrical Contractors, Borggaard Construction Corp., Consulting Engineers Group, Whitman & Bingham Associates
Modules: Trina Solar, SunEdison
Inverters: Solectria Renewables
Mounting: TerraSmart
Roof-Mount
JM Family Enterprises Building
Deerfield Beach, Florida
150 kW
Developer: JM Family Enterprises
Contractors: Advanced Green Technologies, Advanced Roofing Inc.
Modules: Suniva
Inverters: Advanced Energy
Mounting: SunLink
Roof-Mount
Whole Foods Market
Austin, Texas
186 kW
Contractor: Freedom Solar Power
Modules: Suniva
Inverters: SMA America
Mounting: DynoRaxx, custom
See 2013’s winners here.
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