Solar Atmospheres of California (SCA) needs plenty of power for its vacuum thermal processing services, including running one of the largest commercial vacuum furnaces. With help from S-5! products, SunGreen Systems Inc. helped create the largest commercial solar and energy storage system in California.

The Project

SCA provides state-of-the-art vacuum thermal processing services. In response to the challenges of California’s energy market, SCA commissioned the solar and energy storage system.

By combining onsite generation, an advanced energy storage system and a world-class artificial intelligence-powered analytics platform, SCA optimizes energy usage by automatically switching between onsite generation, battery power and grid power. The robust system enables SCA to achieve a wide variety of goals, including energy expense reductions through reduced peak demand, onsite renewable power generation and demand response program participation. 

The digitally connected energy storage network includes a 772-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) solar system and a 1,561-kilowatts/3,122 kilowatt-hour Tesla battery storage system on twin 20,000-plus square foot metal buildings. The facilities feature American Buildings Long Span III trapezoidal, exposed-fastened metal roofing with the solar modules secured in place by S-5!’s PVKIT® solar solution and RibBracket™III.

The Challenge

With more than 60 furnaces for vacuum heat treating and brazing services, ranging from lab-size research and development furnaces to the largest commercial vacuum furnace (48 feet long, 150,000-pound capacity), the site experiences very high energy demands and energy charges. The customer requested the largest solar system the building could handle.  

Solar installer, SunGreen Systems, worked with its energy storage partner, Stem, to propose a combined solar and Tesla battery storage system to shave the demand and arbitrage energy.

The Solution

SunGreen Systems installed solar on every possible area of the roof; built an addition to the southern building for more roof space; and installed two, cantilevered carports along the property line to provide additional hosting for solar arrays.

They chose S-5! products because the solar attachments provided design flexibility in attachment locations. In addition, the lightweight solution allowed them to avoid costly retrofits.

During initial client meetings, SunGreen Systems demonstrated the reliable racking solution via a sample kit provided by S-5! ― enabling the client to find the right clamp for the project and allowing them to see first-hand the factory-installed gaskets that would preserve the building’s integrity. The S-5! team worked with SunGreen Systems to obtain a Bill of Materials so they could determine their exact costs for such a large project. Additionally, the team worked hands-on with their crew on-site to demonstrate best practices for rail-less installation, including advance module preparation while other crew members completed the electrical work.

The investment was particularly attractive to SCA because of two federal tax incentives and additional state-sponsored incentives. The company expects a full return on investment within 30-36 months.

Long-Term Outlook

Solar Atmospheres has supplemented its high demand for power generation via the state’s largest commercial solar and energy storage system utilizing an aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective PV mounting system – enabling the client to avoid costly retrofits.

Project Team

  • Engineer: Paul Truong
  • General Contractor: SunGreen Systems Inc. 
  • Solar Installer: SunGreen Systems Inc.
  • Battery Storage Partner: Stem
  • Module Manufacturer: URE
  • Inverter Manufacturer: Delta
  • Solar Mounting System: S-5!

Project Stats

  • Roof Size: 2 roofs, each measuring  90 feet by 225 feet (x2) = 40,500 feet2
  • Carport Size: 40-feet by 150-feet (16-foot clear height) (x2) = 12,000 feet2
  • Roof Pitch and Carport Pitch: 5 degrees
  • Roof Profile: 26-gage, American Buildings Long Span III trapezoidal, exposed-fastened
  • Solar Project Size: 772-kW DC TOTAL / 570-kW DC metal roof 
  • Solar Modules: 1,494 rooftop; URE 380W panels
  • Battery System: 14 Tesla Powerpacks @ 1,561-kW/3,122-kWh
  • S-5! Products Supplied: PVKIT® and RibBracket™ III (2976)