News Article
Rooftop Solar Power Proves Its Efficiency
Hamlin's solar power plant surpasses 100,000kW/h of renewable energy.
North Carolina's largest rooftop solar power plant has generated 100,000kW/h (kilowatt/ hour) of renewable, carbon free electric power. In March of this year, Hamlin Energy Solutions installed the state's largest building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) laminate rooftop solar power plant at its sheet metal fabrication plant in Benson, NC, and in less than seven months, the 107kW thin film solar installation has generated an average of more than 14,000kW/h per month. Company officials at Hamlin believe it is the first rooftop solar power installation in North Carolina to reach the 100,000kW/h mark.
Hamlin Energy Solutions, a division of Hamlin Companies, designs and installs solar energy solutions for the commercial and industrial construction market. According to Will Hamlin, executive vice president, Hamlin Energy Solutions, the Benson facility achieved this milestone in one third less time than projected. “Although our initial estimates saw this solar plant generating 100,000kW/h of electric power output by the end of 2008, we have been extremely pleased with the accelerated production of the system.”
As part of the system, Hamlin provides real time data monitoring of the solar power plant. This tool allows Hamlin to accurately monitor the performance of the solar power plant and to provide instant educational material to potential customers. A similar on line monitor is offered with each rooftop solar power plant Hamlin installs.
According to Hamlin, the laminate solar panels are designed to capture sunlight across the light spectrum. This ability allows the system to produce electricity throughout the day, during the early morning and late afternoon, direct sunlight and even in cloudy or overcast conditions. While the system produces its maximum power output when exposed to direct sunlight, the panels are engineered to be efficient at converting light outside the peak production hours into electricity.
Unlike conventional “rigid frame” crystalline solar panels, Hamlin's BIPV technology is a photovoltaic laminate less than 1/8" thick that can be directly integrated to existing roofing systems without requiring roof penetrations, giving it a much lower installed life cycle cost per watt of power delivered. The panels feature a durable impact resistant Teflon shell, and add no significant structural weight to the roof. Hamlin's thin film BIPV laminate solar panels are also the only solar power systems that can be hurricane rated for rooftop installations in North Carolina.
Hamlin Energy Solutions, a division of Hamlin Companies, designs and installs solar energy solutions for the commercial and industrial construction market. According to Will Hamlin, executive vice president, Hamlin Energy Solutions, the Benson facility achieved this milestone in one third less time than projected. “Although our initial estimates saw this solar plant generating 100,000kW/h of electric power output by the end of 2008, we have been extremely pleased with the accelerated production of the system.”
As part of the system, Hamlin provides real time data monitoring of the solar power plant. This tool allows Hamlin to accurately monitor the performance of the solar power plant and to provide instant educational material to potential customers. A similar on line monitor is offered with each rooftop solar power plant Hamlin installs.
According to Hamlin, the laminate solar panels are designed to capture sunlight across the light spectrum. This ability allows the system to produce electricity throughout the day, during the early morning and late afternoon, direct sunlight and even in cloudy or overcast conditions. While the system produces its maximum power output when exposed to direct sunlight, the panels are engineered to be efficient at converting light outside the peak production hours into electricity.
Unlike conventional “rigid frame” crystalline solar panels, Hamlin's BIPV technology is a photovoltaic laminate less than 1/8" thick that can be directly integrated to existing roofing systems without requiring roof penetrations, giving it a much lower installed life cycle cost per watt of power delivered. The panels feature a durable impact resistant Teflon shell, and add no significant structural weight to the roof. Hamlin's thin film BIPV laminate solar panels are also the only solar power systems that can be hurricane rated for rooftop installations in North Carolina.
