2014 Roof-Mount Project of the Year Honorable Mentions
JM Family Enterprises Inc. | Deerfield Beach, Florida | 150 kW
Developer: JM Family Enterprises
Contractors: Advanced Green Technologies, Advanced Roofing Inc.
Modules: Suniva
Inverters: Advanced Energy
Mounting: SunLink
JM Family Enterprises Inc. — South Florida’s largest privately-owned company (including subsidiary JM Lexus, the largest-volume Lexus dealership in the world) — engaged Advanced Green Technologies (AGT) to design and install a 150-kW PV system on its headquarters roof. While keeping in mind the area’s threat for high hurricane wind speeds, AGT discovered that a post-tension concrete slab was needed on the roof in order to keep the structural integrity of the building while satisfying the wind uplift requirements. The design team had to revise all attachment details and utilize fastener and sleeve imbeds specifically designed for use in post-tension applications. A fixed stair tower and platform were attached to the four-story building so to not disturb the JM Family Enterprises staff inside. The project was completed in 30 days — finishing in May 2014 — and will produce up to 200,000 kWh of electricity annually.
Whole Foods Market | Austin, Texas | 186 kW
Contractor: Freedom Solar Power
Modules: Suniva
Inverters: SMA America
Mounting: DynoRaxx, custom
A large portion of the Whole Foods Market building’s rooftop was originally considered unusable for solar because of a metal screen surrounding the HVAC units. However, this challenge became an opportunity when system designer and installer Freedom Solar Power created a custom racking solution utilizing the structural elements of the screen to mount 248 Suniva modules. Not only did this maximize the overall capacity of the PV array, but it made it visible from the parking lot and adjacent highway, allowing customers to see exactly where the store’s power is produced. The remaining 442 modules were installed on the flat TPO membrane roof using DynoRaxx’s Evolution fiberglass ballasted mounting system, completed in January 2014. Real-time data (from SMA’s Sunny Portal) is displayed on an eGauge monitoring system located in the store’s lobby, where customers can view the system’s status as they check out.
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