| Description
Ortho-McNeil, a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, decided to make a positive environmental impact at their research facility in Spring House, Pennsylvania by installing a photovoltaic array on their roof.
Johnson & Johnson is a founding partner of the EPA's Green Power Partnership Program. Harry Kauffman, Corporate Energy Director for Johnson & Johnson elaborated on their mission, stating: “[Johnson & Johnson] is committed to increasing its use of green, renewable power sources to help our company meet its energy needs. We selected PowerLight [photovoltaic panels] because their approach to design, manufacturing, and installation is outstanding.”.
Hence, PV is a viable option not only in residential applications, but commercial ones as well.
| Systems Specifications Summary: |
| PV System Capacity |
75.0 kW |
| System Type |
Grid-tied Batteryless |
| System Voltage |
208 VAC after inverting (5 panels connected in series per string x 350 strings) |
| Inverter Type |
100kVA Custom Built for Ortho-McNeil by PowerLight |
| System Characteristics:
The roof mounted 75kW array is composed of 1,750 individual panels each generating 43 watts peak. These panels from PowerLight interlock to provide the absolute smallest footprint possible. Power from the panels is routed to a custom-built 208VAC inverter for use in the facility. This extremely successful array will help reduce the company's energy consumption by approximately 79,000 kilowatt-hours per year. Over the lifetime of the array (approximately 30 years), it is esimated that this system will prevent 8,150 pounds of Nitrogen Oxide and 1,583 TONS of carbon dioxide from being emitted via conventional power generation means. This reduction in emissions is equivalent to planting 825 acres of trees or not driving over 7,300,000 miles.
In addition to replacing grid power, the PowerLight solar roof system provides R-20 equivalent thermal insulation. This means reduced heating and cooling costs in addition to power generation. |
Ortho-McNeil conducting one its many tours of the system. Above are representatives of Ortho-McNeil, the Educational Testing Service, Elizabethtown Water, City of Montvale, and PowerLight |
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Elegantly Simple Power Production |
The Custom Inverter
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