Project Data

End-User: Schuyler School

Installer: Evco Mechanical and IBEW

Location: Kearny, NJ

Date of install:

Size of system in kW: 135kW

Energy produced since installation

Special Challenges Met: 1) two resident voltages;  2) two separate buildings  3) re-roofing project

Project Brief

TurtleEnergy successfully won the bid to design and support a Photovoltaic (PV) system for the Kearny Board of Education (BOE) in September of 2004. Evco Mechanical successfully won the public bid to install the TurtleEnergy PV system on four Kearny schools. The Schuyler school was the second of 4 schools to be installed by Evco Mechanical. The project commenced in November of 2005. A detailed analysis of the site was done by TurtleEnergy. This analysis was comprised of the following steps and implementation.

Shading Analysis

Optimal System Design and Concept Planning

Industrial Design of the Components of the System

Multi-Disciplinary Coordination with Architects, Structural Engineers, Electrical Engineers, and Construction Managers

The Schuyler School was a challenge for TurtleEnergy because the building has two resident voltages (208 volts and 480 volts). The school also consisted of two separate buildings upon which two different PV systems were planned. The total size of the planned PV system was 135kw. Due to the large travel distance between the 2 buildings, a multi-PV system design approach was utilized using a combination of SMA converters and one SATCON 100 kw Inverter. The Kearny BOE implemented a re-roofing project and TurtleEnergy coordinated the design of the PV system with the warranty provided by the roofer so that the roofer would be comfortable with the installation on his warrantee roof. The architect of the re-roofing project provided a valuable roof plan which described the future roofscape. TurtleEnergy worked closely with the architect to coordinate the roof plan with the design of the PV system. The size of the PV system for the Schuyler School is 135kW. Evco Mechanical completed the installation after closely participating in the design process. Evco Mechanical completed the installation in the middle of the winter in 90 days.

Fat Spaniel’s integrated Satcon inverter direct internet-based monitoring system was implemented for the Schuyler project. The Fat Spaniel data acquisition system, logs the actual energy generation by the PV system. The resulting measurements are in compliance with the predicted analysis done by TurtleEnergy. The Fat Spaniel system data monitoring results are available both on a real-time and historical basis. Measurements can be viewed on daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or lifetime intervals.

Schott Solar provided TurtleEnergy with valuable design support and supply of PV modules and mounting hardware for the project. The New Jersey Clean Energy Program and the school’s construction corporation provided full funding for the project.

For additional information on product specifications see the appropriate cut sheets listed below.

Satcon 100kw Inverter

SMA inverter

Schott Solar Module (ASE 300 – 315W)

B-Line Cable Tray

Schott Solar FS Mounting System

Fat Spaniel (remote monitoring system)

Multi-Contact Connectors

ILSCO Direct Bury Grounding Lugs