Quick Glimpse
BACKGROUND
201 Spring Street is a 1940’s era 3-story industrial warehouse building near the Illinois River in Peoria. In 2011, Steve Foster and Chris Benson bought the 26,400 ft2 warehouse with the intention of repurposing the building into a mixed use office and residential space.
PROBLEM
As 201 Spring Street became occupied, control of the utility bills became a priority. Renovations required roof replacement. The building also had good, unblocked southern sky exposure. Owners Foster and Benson became interested in the potential of installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) array.
SOLUTION
Solar PV systems are made up of photovoltaic cells, which are small
semiconductors made from silicon and other conductors created in very thin layers. Chemical reactions with the sun release electrons, generating a direct current (DC). Inverters in the system convert the DC power to alternating (AC) current. The AC current is then fed to the larger electrical grid. An eGauge monitoring system tracks energy production and allows for public monitoring**.
Ruyle partnered with Hawk Energy Solutions to design and install a 25 kW solar PV system for the roof of 201 Spring Street. The system is comprised of 90 – 280 watt solar panels with SolarEdge Optimizers, 2 SolarEdge inverters, and an eGauge monitoring system. Ruyle electricians are certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission to install and maintain renewable energy systems.
RESULTS
Commercial renewable energy projects qualify for four incentives to reduce project costs:
1) a 30% Federal tax credit,
2) net-metering on the monthly electric bill,
3) selling Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs), and
4) MACRS federal accelerated tax depreciation.
The estimated payback is 3.3 years. 201 Spring Street is estimated
to earn $22,494 after 5 years on its solar PV system. Given a system lifetime of 25 years, 201 Spring Street is on a very bright path of renewable energy and controlled electric costs.
Download Case Study PDF Version
Check out 201 Spring Street’s Energy Production at:
https://monitoringpublic.solaredge.com/solaredge-web/p/site/
public?name=Spring+Street+201
