Second Largest Commercial Solar Array in Chandler Complete
Chandler City Officials to Join in Celebration as Harmon Solar and SRP Connect the System to the Grid
February 9, 2011
Harmon Solar, a division of Harmon Electric, Inc has completed the second largest commercial solar project in Chandler, Ariz. The system was installed on the roof of Av-Air, Inc., a worldwide aftermarket distributor of commercial aircraft parts for Boeing and Airbus aircraft types. The system received approval from SRP, and it will be commissioned on Thursday, February 9 at 9 a.m.
Av-Air is located at 33 South 56th Street, Ste. 2, Chandler, Ariz., 85226.
Joining the ceremony will be City of Chandler Councilmember, Jack Sellers, Assistant City Manager Pat McDermott, and Transportation and Development Director, R.J. Zeder. Executives from the various project partners, including Harmon Solar, Av-Air, S2 Energy, and Hawkins Design Group will also join in the celebration when SRP connects the solar system to the grid.
“We have been eagerly anticipating the day Av-Air can become energy independent,” said Bob Ellis, president of Reason’s Aviation, the parent company of Av-Air stated. “Reducing our need for foreign energy sources is a huge milestone in the growth of our company and a step towards bettering the environment.”
Av-Air enlisted Harmon Solar to install a 151,800 watt photovoltaic system. It is comprised of more than 550 solar panels, which equate to more than 20 average-sized residential solar systems. In order for Av-Air’s roof to support the weight of the solar panels, the ceiling beams had to be extended and a custom-designed steel super structure was mounted on top of the pillars. A collaborative effort by many local companies, the overall project was designed and installed by Harmon Solar, with assistance from S2 Energy, who also created a custom racking system for the solar panels. The steel frame was fabricated and installed by R-n-R Steel, and Hawkins Design Group was the electrical engineering partner.
“Harmon Solar has been great to work with on this project from the very beginning. They were instrumental in identifying the most beneficial incentives for Av-Air, and they were able to custom-design a solar system to meet our building’s structural demands,” stated Ellis.
The solar system will offset 100% of Av-Air’s current annual electricity use with renewable solar energy. As one of the first projects to have been approved by SRP under the Production Based Incentive (PBI) program, Av-Air was able to take advantage of significant cost savings. PBIs are designed to pay the customer for the actual production of its renewable system over time instead of an initial, up-front incentive payment. The customer is then obligated to provide SRP with all Renewable Energy Credits (REC) produced for 20 years. Additionally, the project is made possible by a Federal Tax Grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Under section 1603, commercial businesses can apply for a 30% Federal Tax Grant to be applied to the gross cost of the system. Av-Air is also entitled to a tax credit from the State of Arizona equivalent to 10% of the gross system cost, up to $25,000.
About Harmon Solar:
Phoenix-based Harmon Solar is a division of Harmon Electric, Inc., an electrical contracting firm that has been serving Arizona since 1975. Harmon Solar specializes in the design and installation of commercial and residential photovoltaic systems. As a family owned and operated business, Harmon Solar takes great pride in helping Arizona residents become energy independent, while also providing a service that betters the environment. Harmon Solar is ranked as the third largest installer by APS, and Harmon Solar is one of only 47 residential solar installers to achieve the designation of Qualified Solar Installer (QSI) by APS. For more information, contact Harmon Solar at 623-879-0010 or visit www.harmonsolar.com.
