Solar power generation is one of the fastest growing green technologies in North America largely due to the funding available from many government agencies to underwrite costs for PV system installations. To take advantage of the expected increase in demand, SunConnect asked Hydro to assist with the design and production of extruded aluminum components for their unique racking system.
Hydro engineers produced conceptual drawings and assisted with design development for the frames and mounting systems until the final drawings were approved by SunConnect. Hydro brought significant experience in aluminum manufacturing and design to SunConnect by drawing upon our resources and support of our global aluminum network. Our solar experience covers both PV and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) installations.
SunConnect wanted the configuration to be flexible to work around various rooftop conditions. The racking system design is modular, allowing for six solar panels to be mounted as a unit. Recently, the SunConnect PV system became one of the first commercial solar rack system tested and approved for electric grounding standard UL2703.
First installation up and running
SunConnect completed the first installation of their proprietary PV system on a large warehouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2010. This project required 180 racks, each with six panels. The system is rated to produce 217 Kw.
Hydro produces the rack system
Hydro uses a 6005A-T5 aluminum alloy for the frame and mounting extruded components to provide an optimal strength-to-weight ratio for the solar panel system. We source the aluminum from our Monett, Missouri, remelt facility. The metal used for the extrusion includes more than 70% recycled content. The importance of using recycled aluminum in a green project like SunConnect’s PV system cannot be understated.
We extrude the five individual profiles needed to produce twelve components on the eight-inch diameter press at our Kalamazoo, Michigan, facilities. In addition to extruding the aluminum, Hydro performs heat treating, cut-to-length, mitering, CNC machining for drilling and punching, and welding for SunConnect. Our work results in three welded sub-assemblies ready to ship directly to the SunConnect jobsite, which can be anywhere in North America.
The SunConnect Program
SunConnect isn’t just a supplier of commercial rooftop PV systems. They manage every phase of the customer’s comprehensive rooftop solar power generation program. Acting as a single point of contact, SunConnect addresses:
- Photovoltaic Array (PV) system design, specification and installation
- 24/7 service and troubleshooting for the PV system as well as the underlying roof structure itself
- Financing options
Their approach takes full advantage of federal, state and local incentives to participate in solar power generation.
As solar power systems become more important to the electric grid, Hydro will continue to support customers like SunConnect with racking system design and production services.
For more information on SunConnect, please go to their website: http://www.sunconnectusa.com.
