Sunora Energy Solutions just completed a solar photovoltaic installation at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School for Science & Technology in New Orleans. The installation, donated by NRG Energy, Inc., Sunora Energy Solutions, and others was unveiled on Saturday, February 2nd and will provide hands-on solar energy education for the school's students, as well as solar power to help reduce the school's utility bill.
The solar installation at the Martin Luther King, Jr. school is comprised of 397 solar panels, which will generate 112kW of power, enough to handle one-third of the school's peak electricity demand with renewable solar energy. The installation also features an outdoor classroom in the new garden area with an irrigation system powered by the solar system using reclaimed water, educational components, and other playground upgrades.
Sunora Energy Solutions designed and managed the installation in addition to fabricating and preassembling the solar arrays. The solar panels were installed in less than four days and the entire project was completed in five and half weeks.
"Our team was able to quickly move from idea to installation with minimal disruption to the school using Sunora's Modular Solar Solution," said John Plumlee , Sunora Energy Solutions CEO. "Utilizing our standardized approach we are able to prefabricate the solar arrays at our off-site facilities, in this case Phoenix, AZ, then rapidly deploy the system, minimizing cost, time and impact, which is really important in a situation such as this where classes are on-going during construction."
Rapid on-site deployment has also been a critical success factor for other Sunora clients including the owners of an NFL stadium where the Sunora Solar Carpark coverings had to be installed in the stadium parking lot without any disruption to the season's game schedule and tailgating parties.
"We are so excited and pleasantly surprised that we could have solar without having to go to a rooftop installation," said Dr. Hicks, the school principal. "The structure is so perfect and went up so quickly. It will prove to be beneficial for us financially and as a educational center piece well into the future."
Saturday's dedication ceremony was conducted by David Crane , NRG President and CEO; and included Drew Brees , New Orleans Saints Quarterback and Dr. Doris Roche '-Hicks, CEO, Principal of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School for Science and Technology and John Plumlee , CEO of Sunora Energy Solutions.
Sunora Energy Solutions, who worked in conjunction with NRG, was supported by DLR Design Group in the engineering, and Core Construction in the construction of the installation. The solar panels were donated by Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL). Common Ground Relief was responsible for the gardens and wetland education components and the project was inspired by the ongoing work Global Green USA has been leading in the lower Ninth Ward.