TROY – The Automation Alley Technology Center, in conjunction with Auburn
Hills-based United Solar Ovonic, has completed a 30 kilowatt photovoltaic
solar panel demonstration system installed on the roof of Automation Alley’s headquarters in Troy, which will provide up to 25 percent of the buildings electricity needs.
The system, which will demonstrate recent technology advancements in solar and battery power, was paid for by a $550,000 grant from the Michigan Public Service Commission.
?By utilizing this leading-edge energy management system, we will demonstrate and promote energy efficient technology to a broad membership of technology companies, academic institutions, government officials and regional economic development centers,? said Tom Anderson, senior director, Automation
Alley Technology Center.
?Not only does this technology contribute to a healthy environment and reduce
our energy demands, it poses a practical business case by ensuring continued power to lighting and computer systems, reducing energy costs and in some instances, actually turning energy meters backwards.?
The Michigan Energy Efficiency Grant received by the Automation Alley Technology Center is part of $6 million awarded by the MPSC to promote energy efficiency throughout Southeast Michigan. Together, these MEEG projects are estimated to generate up to 225,000 kW hours per year of solar electricity.
The system installed on the Automation Alley headquarters uses United Solar Ovonic?s UNI-SOLAR laminates installed on both the flat rooftop and a fixed tilted array, covering nearly 11,000 square feet. Of the 30 kW generated by the system, 26 kW are tied directly to the power grid (the network of power lines,
transformers and power plants that deliver electricity to individual buildings); 2 kW are used as direct current (DC) for the building?s lighting (with a battery back up); and 2 kW are dedicated to battery back up for the building?s servers, telecommunications and audio-visual controls.
The electricity produced by the grid-tied system is fed into the building?s alternating current (AC) panel through an inverter and an AC circuit breaker. The power generated reduces the electricity drawn from the power grid by supplying energy directly to the building load. If the system generates more power
than the building load, the excess electricity is fed back into the grid, reducing utility bills further by turning the dials on the electric meter backwards.
The remaining power produced by the system generates DC electricity which travels directly into the building?s DC lights. This Direct Coupled system is manufactured by Nextek Power Systems of Detroit. Since conversion to AC power isn?t needed, this ultra-high efficiency lighting solution
runs at a minimum of 98 percent efficiency.
Additionally, a UNI-SOLAR Data Acquisition System has been supplied to provide real-time and accumulated information on the performance benefits of the system. The DAS consists of a 12-inch touch-screen monitor, which is connected to the power system, a weather station, and is remotely
accessible via the Internet. The system is mounted in the lobby of the Automation Alley headquarters for visitors to view and monitor the system?s performance.
Southeast Michigan technology companies that assisted with the project, include:
United Solar Ovonic, Auburn Hills ? Solar module manufacturer / system designer
Cobasys, Orion ? Nickel Metal Hydride battery manufacturer (Automation Alley member)
NexTek Power Systems, Detroit ? Lighting
SUR Energy Systems, Ann Arbor ? Contractor/installer
