Solar Energy Engineering Statement of Qualifications

Transcription

1 Solar Energy Engineering Statement of Qualifications ARM Group Inc. Corporate Headquarters: 1129 West Governor Road P.O. Box 797 Hershey, PA Bryan Wehler, P.E., P.G. Vice President Direct: (717)

2 ARM Group Inc. Providing Solar Energy Engineering and Consulting Services Proven Results for the Renewable Energy Industry ARM Group Inc. (ARM), headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, was established in 1998 to provide engineering and environmental consulting to both public and private sector clients. ARM employs engineers and scientists, most with advanced degrees, in the fields of: civil, geotechnical, mechanical, electrical and environmental engineering; aquatic biology; ecology; environmental science; geography; geology; hydrogeology; and geophysics. With additional offices in State College, Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Columbia, MD, and Newark, OH, ARM currently employs over 130 scientists, engineers, field technicians, and administrative support personnel serving clients throughout the eastern United States. ARM assists in meeting the growing demand from a broad and growing client base that seeks integrated energy solutions utilizing advanced and sustainable energy technologies. Renewable energy technology is vital to the development, growth, and sustainability of American communities with solar energy being one of the most abundant and cleanest forms of renewable energy available today. ARM has successfully worked on numerous solar energy projects and has the experience and expertise to provide the following services in support of solar energy project development. Solar Energy Engineering & Consulting Services Demand for photovoltaic (PV) energy is accelerating as energy prices rise, concerns about climate change grow, and due to policy incentives. With the cost of PV materials dropping, the economics of solar energy are becoming increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources. Whether you have a commercial, industrial, or municipal site, ARM engineers can make solar energy production a reality by offering a comprehensive one stop shop project design and management service; bringing together a team of expert professionals to ensure the successful and cost effective design, procurement, and installation of your PV energy system. ARM-designed solar installation at South Hadley Landfill Page 2 ARM Corporate Headquarters

3 Proven Results for the Marcellus Shale Solar Energy Services ARM Group Inc. Providing Solar Energy Engineering and Consulting Services Solar Energy Feasibility Studies Including: Project Funding Availability (Grants, Loans, Tax Credits) Solar Panel and Mounting Technologies Evaluation Assessment of Annual Energy Production Potential and Associated Energy and Cost Savings Determination of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Environmental Equivalency Benefits Economic and Financial Analysis ARM is able to prepare a preliminary financial analysis to assess the potential viability of a proposed solar energy project based on a variety of potential project development scenarios. For net metered projects, ARM will examine the economic viability of a solar system sized to offset the site s electrical loads. ARM will then develop a unique cash flow model for a variety of financial scenarios for the site that will be used to compute NPV, IRR, return-onequity, and payback period. Site Selection and Optimization Grid Connection and Interconnection Assessment Structural Integrity of Mounting Surfaces Ground Mounting Design Engineering Quantitative Shading Analysis Erosion and Sedimentation Control and Stormwater Management Considerations Page 3

4 Proven Results for the Marcellus Shale Solar Energy Services Land Development Planning, Zoning Approval, Permitting ARM will evaluate local zoning ordinances, building codes, and other regulatory permitting requirements and complete the steps necessary to successfully permit the project. Renewable Energy Credit (REC) Contracts and Power Purchase Agreements On behalf of the client, ARM can assist in establishing an equitable REC contract to ensure that the project developer is maximizing the potential return on investment. ARM can also assist in establishing power purchase agreements with utilities or nearby large energy consumers to ensure the financial viability of the project. Electrical Infrastructure and Substation Design Engineering ARM and its subsidiary, ARM Ener-Tech Associates (AETA), have the combined resources to design all of the electrical features of a solar energy project, including inverter selection, transformer design, switchgear design, and substation design for larger systems interconnecting to the grid. Visual Simulations ARM prepares AutoCAD drawings of sufficient detail to construct the project. ARM is also able to prepare photosimulations and visual renderings of the project to assist in the promotion or permitting of the project. Construction Quality Assurance and Project Management Once the project moves into the design and construction phases, ARM has the resources and expertise to complete and manage the project construction using qualified contractors; guaranteeing quality assurance of all completed work. ARM Group Inc. Providing Solar Energy Engineering and Consulting Services space.about.com/od/solarsystem/tp/sun10things.htm Page 4

5 Keystone Solar Project Lancaster, PA Solar System Foundation Design The Keystone Solar Project is a 6.0 megawatt (MW) solar system, making it the largest Solar Farm in Pennsylvania. The Keystone Project was installed on farmland in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which imposed stringent development restrictions on the property. The design and construction were implemented in a manner that minimized earth disturbance, so the site could later be returned to its preconstruction condition, if desired. No concrete foundations were permitted on the site, presenting complications for the installation of equipment platforms housing inverters and transformers, which are normally installed on concrete spread footings. To support the equipment loads, ARM designed a foundation utilizing driven steel posts. The design utilized the same steel posts that were used as part of the solar panel racking system, so the installation was able to be completed using equipment and materials already available at the site. The driven-post foundation also provided additional flexibility for wiring connections compared to the traditional concrete foundation. The rapid installation of the foundation kept the project on an accelerated schedule construction began in June, and the system was operational in September. ARM also provided construction-phase engineering services throughout the installation of the solar system. The solar system is expected to generate nearly 8,000 MW-hours/year. Page 5

6 South Hadley Landfill MSE Solar Berm Design South Hadley Landfill South Hadley, MA MSE Berm Solar System Design ARM was the Engineer-of-Record for the design and construction of the Solar Integrated Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Berm at the South Hadley Landfill, located in South Hadley Massachusetts. ARM prepared permit level designs of its patented solar support and anchoring technology for this first of its kind solar application. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) approved ARM s design and permitted the installation of the solar system as part of the Cell 2D landfill expansion at the South Hadley Landfill. ARM subsequently prepared construction level designs for the 85.5 kilowatt (KW) solar system. ARM also provided construction-phase engineering services throughout the installation of the solar system. The solar system consists of a total of 364 solar modules, which generate nearly 100,000 KW-hours/year. A Solectria PVI-82 inverter was selected to convert the DC output into AC power. The electricity from the solar system is used to offset the electrical consumption from the adjacent South Hadley Department of Public Works. Page 6

7 Lanchester Landfill Solar Energy System Design Lanchester Landfill Honeybrook, PA MSE Berm Solar System Design ARM was awarded a contract by the Chester County Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) to prepare a permit-level design for a solar installation for the outer face of a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Berm as part of the Area E Landfill Expansion. This proprietary concept, involving the installation of rigid solar modules mounted to the exterior face of an MSE Berm, is the first of its kind. ARM completed the following project tasks: Preliminary solar array layout and orientation optimization Solar panel evaluation and selection Anchoring system design Structural analysis and calculations Shading analysis Energy production estimate GHG reduction estimate and environmental equivalency benefits Grid interconnection and wiring evaluation Preliminary design drawing preparation The proposed system will have a rated capacity of approximately 866 kilowatts and is projected to generate over a million kilowatt-hours per year. This project was completed on time and on budget. CCSWA is currently seeking funding to complete the installation of the project. Page 7

8 Frey Farm Solar Energy Feasibility Study Frey Farm Landfill Conestoga, PA Solar Energy Feasibility Study ARM performed a preliminary feasibility study to assess the viability of installing a flexible membrane solar system on the surface of the closed portions of the Frey Farm Landfill. The concept for the specific proposed ground-mounted thin-film photovoltaic (PV) installation was developed by ARM and is considered proprietary. The solar feasibility study involved identifying the amount of south-facing capped landfill surface that could be used for a solar installation. Based on the area available for a solar installation, ARM determined that an approximately one (1) MegaWatt (MW) rated capacity system could be installed. A preliminary cost estimate for the installation of the proposed solar array was prepared by ARM. Using solar modeling software licensed to ARM, the amount of electricity the proposed system could generate based on the orientation of the solar sub-arrays distributed across approximately 7.5 acres of the south-facing landfill surface was predicted. Based on the energy production and installed cost estimates, ARM prepared a preliminary economic and financial analysis for the proposed solar installation. The Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority is currently seeking funding to develop the project. Page 8

9 Broadlands Financial Group, LLC Reading, PA Solar Energy Feasibility Study ARM conducted a feasibility study to assess the viability of siting a grid-connected, commercialscale photovoltaic (PV) energy installation for electricity generation at a site near Reading, Pennsylvania. The study included utilization of the ARM-licensed PV-Design Pro to evaluate the energy output of a variety of solar system configurations and technologies. The data was used to assess the size, cost, and energy production implications of developing this ground-mounted solar installation on this 66-acre undeveloped parcel. ARM considered three types of arrays: fixed-tilt PV, dual-axis tracking PV, and thin-film, ground-mounted PV. Based on the alignment of the parcel, topography, and south-facing exposure, preliminary layouts of the proposed fixed-tilt and dual-axis tracking PV arrays were generated. Fixed-Tilt PV Array The most efficient layout of the fixed tilt PV array was estimated to generate 3,891,914 kwh net power production annually. Dual-Axis Tracking PV Array The dual-axis tracking PV array design was estimated to generate approximately 3,094,169 kwh of electricity annually. Although a dual-axis tracking PV system will generate more power per kw of rated capacity, the individual dual-axis tracking sub-arrays must be spaced further apart to minimize the shading effects of the rotating subarray. In addition, the dual-axis tracking systems are more expensive than fixed-tilt systems, and have higher operation and maintenance costs. Ground-Mounted Thin-Film PV System Since the majority of the subject parcel slopes toward the west, a ground-mounted thin-film PV system was not recommended for this site. cheapsolarpanelsguide.com Page 9

10 Clinton County Solid Waste Authority Wayne Township Landfill Pilot-Scale Thin-Film Solar Landfill Cap McElhattan, PA ARM prepared a conceptual design to support a Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) grant application for a proposed thin-film solar landfill cap project at the Wayne Township Landfill. If grant funding is secured, this project would provide an innovative, cost-effective, and revenue-generating alternative to traditional landfill cap systems. The current PEDA grant program will provide $21 Million for innovative, advanced energy projects and could potentially defray much of the incurred costs of preparation and installation work for the project. The primary purpose of this project will be to evaluate the performance and efficiency of a thin-film PV (solar) installation on the ground surface of a covered landfill. The system will involve applying thin-film solar modules to a thermally compatible synthetic membrane anchored to the intermediate cover surface of the landfill. Generated power would be used to offset the loads of the on-site Recycling Center, and any surplus power will be sold back to the utility grid through a net metering agreement. The proposed system would cover approximately 11,000-square feet, and will be installed on the lowermost slope with an estimated size of 90-feet wide and 120-feet long. The system will have approximately 372 PV panels and provide a rated capacity of 50 kw. The PV system will produce approximately 57,000 kw-hrs/yr of electricity, or enough power to supply nearly six households with electricity. With a successful grant application, PEDA funding will likely cover 50% of the total project cost. The balance of the total project cost would be defrayed by the electricity costs offset by the PV system and by the sale of renewable energy credits (RECs). Thin Film PV System Conceptual Design Page 10