Calif. co.’s in charge of USCG Aguadilla, Bayamón solar energy projects
The U.S. Coast Guard is adopting solar power technology in Bayamón and Aguadilla. (Credit: Wikipedia)
Davis, CA-based Blue Oak Energy and Point 2 Structural Engineers will lead the construction of the $50 million solar projects the U.S. Coast Guard will roll out at its Borinquen Air Station in Aguadilla and the Río Bayamon Housing Center in San Juan.
The 2.8-megawatt solar electric project is part of a large-scale energy savings performance program implemented by Schneider Electric. The U.S. Coast Guard reduced greenhouse gases by replacing brown power with PV-generated green power.
“By replacing conventional forms of energy with renewables, the Coast Guard not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also improves the reliability of its electrical system, especially important in the hurricane belt of the Caribbean,” said federal energy solutions program manager for Schneider Electric, Kevin Vaughn.
The PV systems span the two sites and include equipping 200 residential rooftops, six commercial rooftops, five carports arrays, and three ground mount arrays.
Significant variations in building elevations and orientations combined with extreme weather conditions posed a unique challenge to provide economical and technically feasible designs, the contractors said.
“We standardized design across many small housing units, multi-use facilities and time weathered buildings, some dating as far back as World War II,” said Blue Oak Energy engineering project manager, Zack Zoller. “We went with a campus-wide approach to lower design and installation costs.”
