Bayville Shores HOA Community Solar Carport, Ground and Roof Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Project

Bayville Shores HOA

Overview

As one of Delaware’s premier vacation communities, Bayville Shores offers its residents picturesque views of the Little Assawoman Bay. When the Bayville Shores Home Owners Association determined that solar PV was in fact the best method to reduce their energy costs and generate income, it presented the engineering challenge of integrating just-over 43 kW of solar while not disturbing a single resident’s view. To meet this challenge, extensive due diligence was conducted and a highly creative design package was presented. The community elected to construct three separate solar arrays distributed throughout the neighborhood. The arrays included a roof mounted system on a community storage building, a solar carport adjacent to the mail building, and a small ground mounted system in an open space.

Engineering

Accomplishing the complex project included the use of a progressive utility tariff known as a Community Energy Facility / Aggregated Metering interconnection. The innovative tariff allowed the multiple solar systems to be installed on two new independent electrical services/meters. This method allows the solar systems to operate independently of the communities many electrical services/meters and for all of the solar system’s generation to be fed to the utility grid and measured by the utility company. The energy (kWh) generated by the solar systems is then simply credited to the various utility accounts of the HOA. This interconnection method provides the community with the distinct advantage of being able to install the solar systems where they have space available and have it benefit the many large and small utility accounts spread throughout the neighborhood; in particular their club house, fitness center, and swimming pool.

The solar carport system is constructed of galvanized steel supports and poured in place concrete pier footers. The steel structure was then painted to match the mail building color and community aesthetics. The solar modules are attached to the carport structure by the low profile Unirac SunFrame mounting system. The ground mounted system utilizes the Schletter FS system with driven post supports requiring no concrete or excavation. In total, the multi-faceted solar system includes (180) Motech solar modules and (6) SMA Sunny Boy Inverters, grid-tied to two electrical services.

Benefits

The Bayville Shores solar project stands as a testament to the flexibility solar PV can provide communities and facilities. Over a thirty year life, the solar system will generate over 1.5 million kWh of electricity, while not disrupting the view of a single resident. Additionally, all of the residents can closely track their investment through a web-based monitoring system from anywhere in the world.

Note: The Bayville Shores HOA solar project was designed and constructed by Flexera, Inc. under the direction of Mr. Manlove during his tenure with the company. Mr. Manlove is the Professional Engineer of record for the project.

Information

Technology:
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Sector: Community/Commercial
Utility:
Delaware Electric Coop.
Interconnection Tariff:
Community Energy Facility
Aggregated Meters
Interconnection Method:
Grid-Tied
City: Selbyville, DE
County: Sussex

Design

Size (kWdc): 43.200
Modules:
(180) Motech Americas
IM60C2-240-T10B50
Inverters:
(6) SMA SB7000US
Monitoring:
(2) SMA Sunny WebBox
(2) SMA Sunny Portal
Mounting:
Roof: Unirac SolarMount
Carport: Unirac SunFrame
Ground: Schletter FS

Generation

Monthly kWh Production:
4,669
Annual kWh Production:
56,030
30 Year kWh Production:
1,586,951
Annual CO2 Offset (lbs.):
85,178
30 Year CO2 Offset (lbs.):
2,412,511