Custom Solar Installation on Santa Monica New Construction
Introduction
This case study presents the successful completion of a custom solar installation on a 15,000 square foot new construction home in Santa Monica, California. The project was initiated to comply with the state mandate requiring all new homes to have solar installations. Good Power Company was approached by the builder to provide a solar solution that met the owner's unique requirements, which included a rooftop trellis and a guest house. The case study highlights the challenges faced, the chosen equipment, the installation process, and the final outcome.
Challenges and Project Requirements
Unique Project Scope: The project involved a 15,000 square foot mansion under construction, comprising a main house, a guest house, and a rooftop terrace with a solar panel trellis.
Maximizing Light Exposure: The homeowner requested that the solar panel trellis allow some light to pass through, necessitating the use of bifacial panels to maximize power generation from both sides.
Concealing Conduits: The presence of dirt surrounding the construction site allowed for the burial of conduits, ensuring a clean and aesthetically pleasing installation.
Complying with Permitting Process: The permit application in Santa Monica involved a lengthy process, but the project timeline allowed for ample time to obtain the necessary approvals.
Equipment Selection
To meet the homeowner's requirements, Good Power Company collaborated with Plug It In Solar, one of their trusted installers, to select the appropriate equipment for the custom solar installation. The chosen equipment included:
LG 405W Bifacial Panels: These panels were selected for the trellis to allow light penetration from both sides, enhancing power output.
Panasonic 340W Panels: These panels were used in other areas of the installation, contributing to the overall power generation.
Enphase IQ7x Microinverters: The selected microinverters efficiently converted the DC power generated by the solar panels into usable AC power.
Installation Process
Plan Review and Communication: Good Power Company reviewed the construction plans with the general contractor and communicated the homeowner's requirements to the installer, Plug It In Solar.
Burying Conduits: Taking advantage of the construction phase, the installation team buried conduits from the main house to the guest house, ensuring a concealed and tidy wiring setup.
Permitting Process: Good Power Company initiated the permit application, allowing for the lengthy approval process. The project timeline accommodated the delays caused by the permitting process.
Custom Solar Panel Trellis: Plug It In Solar successfully installed 18 LG 405W bifacial panels on the rooftop trellis, providing a visually appealing solution that allowed some light to penetrate while generating additional power from both sides of the panels.
Comprehensive Installation: The project included a total of 23.5 kW installation, utilizing both Panasonic 340W and LG 405W bifacial panels, along with Enphase IQ7x microinverters.
Final Outcome
The collaboration between Good Power Company, Plug It In Solar, and the general contractor resulted in the successful completion of the custom solar installation on the Santa Monica mansion. The homeowner's requirements were met with a visually pleasing solution that complemented the architecture of the home. The use of bifacial panels on the trellis maximized power generation while allowing some light penetration. All conduits were hidden, providing a clean and aesthetically appealing installation. The system's total capacity of 23.5 kW ensured ample power generation to meet the energy needs of the mansion.
Conclusion
The custom solar installation on the Santa Monica mansion demonstrates the ability of Good Power Company to provide tailored solar solutions that meet unique project requirements. Through effective communication, careful equipment selection, and collaboration with skilled installers, the company successfully delivered a visually appealing and high-performance solar installation that satisfied both the homeowner's requests and the state mandate for solar integration. The project serves as an example of how custom solar solutions can be implemented in complex construction projects to harness renewable energy and contribute to a sustainable future.