Perpetual Power Installs Solar on Cold Storage Roof
Perpetual Power has announced the completion of a 416kW DC solar installation on a Budweiser cold beer storage building in Contra Costa County, Calif.
The Markstein Sales Company, a family owned business operating since 1919, and a distributor of Budweiser and other beverages, decided to install solar power on its facility to reduce its energy costs while contributing to the protection of the environment.
The solar system was designed and installed by San Francisco-based Perpetual Power, LLC, and is the first system to use their new proprietary "Oasis" roof mounting system. The system was designed with minimal connections and a low weight per square foot to reduce stress on the building's rooftop. The new mounting system also passed a rigorous wind tunnel test to meet the requirements in this area and ensure stability and safety.
Paul Townsend, founder of Perpetual Power, LLC, commented on the new installation: "We continue to focus our solar installations on large commercial buildings in California, including this new building for Markstein Sales Company. We also focus on large agribusiness installations where solar power makes a real difference in lowering energy bills for these companies."
The solar installation includes 2,240 185Wp Mitsubishi Electric polycrystalline photovoltaic modules, made with 100 percent lead-free solder. Mitsubishi Electric modules were chosen due to their reputation for outstanding quality and high power output.
Antioch is in the eastern part of the Bay Area and typically experiences hot summer temperatures, which drive up the energy requirements of a cold storage facility.
"A cold storage facility is an excellent example of a building that can gain immediate benefits from solar power," said Gina Heng, general manager of Mitsubishi Electric's photovoltaic division. "Due to the high temperatures and amount of refrigeration required for this facility, solar panels can help the company shave off its most expensive tier it pays to the utility, resulting in immediate savings."
The system will cover approximately 60 percent of the 110k-square-foot building's energy.