Nebraska Bird Partnership

This week, the Nebraska Public Power District attached the last of 147 individual solar panels, or modules, to a large photovoltaic (PV) array south of the District’s new Norfolk Operations Center at 1200 S. Chestnut Street. Once commissioned, the 35-ft. by 70-ft. PV system will directly convert sunlight to electric energy. The SunCarrier PV array will generate approximately 45 kilowatts of energy, or enough power to supply roughly 7 percent of the Center’s total electric energy requirements.

This week, the Nebraska Public Power District attached the last of 147 individual solar panels, or modules, to a large photovoltaic (PV) array south of the District’s new Norfolk Operations Center at 1200 S. Chestnut Street. The operations, maintenance and customer service facility will consolidate four currently separate Norfolk workplace locations. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 23.

Once commissioned, the 35-ft. by 70-ft. PV system will directly convert sunlight to electric energy. The SunCarrier PV array will generate approximately 45 kilowatts of energy, or enough power to supply roughly 7 percent of the Center’s total electric energy requirements.

Besides supplying renewable, carbon-free energy to NPPD’s newest operations, maintenance and customer service facility, the PV system will be a key component to the building’s educational offerings. Via an interactive kiosk located inside the facility, students and the general public will be able to access, among other energy- and industry-related information, real-time data on the PV’s operation.

This PV information will enable viewers to study the relationship between the building’s energy needs, the amount of energy derived from sunlight and, ultimately, the possible role renewable energy technologies may play under real-world conditions.

The new PV array was purchased from a German company, a+f GmbH at a cost of $413,685, funded in large part by a grant from the Nebraska Energy Office. The grant funds 83 percent of the system’s cost.

Although these PV systems are somewhat common in Europe (more than 1,700 have been built there), NPPD’s PV array is the first of its kind to be erected in the U.S.

The PV array is an example of how NPPD’s new Norfolk facility will incorporate green or sustainable operation and maintenance features. The Center will be a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified Gold facility. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.