|
2008 Minnesota Solar Tour
< Previous Site
| Solar Tour Index | Next
Site >
| 
|
Merrick,
Inc.
3210 Labore Road
Vadnais Heights, MN 55110
 
Access to the solar array on the roof is up
a steep interior stairway and through a roof-hatch. Direct
viewing will be dependent on the weather and limited to those
over the age of 21 with no ambulatory limitations or issues
with vertigo. Those eligible and interested in going on the
roof will need to sign a disclaimer form and must wear flat-soled
shoes, slacks/shorts, and have sunglasses. We will have a
PowerPoint presentation on the solar array installation in
the lobby and people available to answer questions all day.
|
The largest solar array in Minnesota, Merrick
Inc.'s 100 kW PV array powers the 52,000-square-foot building's
110-ton geothermal heat pump (GHP), which heats and cools the building
year around. The 110-ton GHP system includes 108 vertical wells,
filled with glycol antifreeze, 200 feet deep into the ground to
capture heat in the winter or shed heat in the summer. The glycol
is then pumped to 21 heat pumps inside the building to heat or cool
the fresh air circulated throughout the facility. This GHP system
is powered by electricity and the building uses no natural or propane
gas and has no emissions to the atmosphere except for the fresh
air exchangers. Merrick started the process in 2001 by greening
the building with an R21 thermal envelope. The PV project began
in early July 2008 with the installation of a new Durolast white
roof, and the project was completed by Labor Day 2008.
Merrick is a nonprofit agency working to meet
the employment, personal development, and transportation needs of
adults with developmental disabilities. Clients work and volunteer
with over 80 businesses throughout the entire Twin Cities, with
rides provided by Merrick's transportation division.
Read more about Merrick, Inc., in the September
2008 issue of The
Solar Flare.
System Components
 
| • |
100 kW solar PV system with
525 panels |
| • |
110 ton geothermal heat pump (GHP) system |
Additional Sustainable Features
| • |
R21 thermal envelope |
| • |
Durolast white roof |
Designer/Engineer
Energy Concepts
Installer
Steiner Plumbing & Electric
Date of Installation Completion
September 2008
System Cost, Payback, and Financial Incentives
Utilized
The PV system was $787,000 ($735,000 grant
from Xcel's Renewable Development Fund plus $52K Merrick funds);
4-year expected payback for Merrick's portion. $250,000 for the
GHP system (all Merrick funds); payback in less than 6 years.
Anticipated Energy Delivery When Purchased
100 kW PV, 110 ton geothermal
Actual Energy Delivered When Installed
No data yet, but the GHP system will be adequate
for the needs of a 52,000-square-foot building.
Percentage of Total Energy Needs Delivered
The PV array provides 100% of the electricity
for the building's GHP system and about 33% of the building's electricity.
|
