The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a beacon of hope and sustenance for America’s aging workforce, but that doesn’t mean that the agency believes in letting its infrastructure become antiquated or timeworn. In fact, in Richmond, California, a suburb of San Francisco, the SSA has installed solar carports in the main parking lot adjacent to its facility in the Frank Hagel Federal Building.
Originally constructed in 1975, the Richmond site is of high importance to the SSA, since it serves as both the regional headquarters and a majority processing facility. The SSA has been the sole tenant of the Frank Hagel Federal Building for more than 35 years.
SSA ad that featured the Frank Hagel Federal Building
The building’s new 420-kilowatt (kW) DC solar photovoltaic (PV) carport system, designed and installed by Silicon Valley-based K2 Solar, comprises five solar carports with four electric vehicle charging stations. The system, which will produce more than 560,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, will provide about 15 percent of the peak energy demand of the Frank Hagel Federal Building which, in addition to office space, houses a childcare center, a credit union, an auditorium and a fitness center. The SSA predicts that the solar system will enable it to save a total of $86,000 per year in energy costs for the site. K2 Solar was the sole subcontractor for San Antonio-based Milcon Construction, LLC for this project.
“The SSA is taking a large step in reducing its environmental footprint and in realizing long-term cost savings,” said Stephen Tsu, president and CEO, K2 Solar, Inc. “The system not only provides shade for the employee parking area with preferential spots for clean-energy vehicles, but also utilizes components manufactured in the United States, which was a requirement of the project.”
Specifically, the solar PV system used Motech IM60 240W solar modules manufactured in Delaware, a 375kW inverter from Boston-based Satcon, aN energy monitoring system from Deck Monitroing, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and Campbell, California-based Coulomb Technology’s ChargePoint EV Charging Stations.
“The SSA is committed to long-term cost savings, energy efficiency and the environment, and this project brings this to light,” said David Rouggly, the energy manager for the facility. “The quality and execution of this design-build project by K2 Solar was exemplary. The work was completed in a timely manner under a very tight schedule, and we are extremely pleased with the system.”
A grand opening ceremony was held in the parking lot on November 18, 2011, after Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E (News - Alert)), the regional utitlity, approved the solar system installation and the system was officially activated.
The carport represents an addition to a major environmental upgrade that the Frank Hagel Federal Building received in 2006. At that time, the Social Security Administration initiated a Super Energy Savings Performance Contracts project at the site as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The Super ESPC Project was dedicated to the construction of a 260kW co-generation heating plant; deployment of a 34kW photovoltaic solar array; replacement of major boilers and installation of variable frequency drives; and retrofitting of garage and stairwell lighting to provide more light and reduced wattage. The total $3.5 million value of the Super ESPC contract was estimated at that time to result in average energy cost-savings of $160,700 per year.
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Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
