Renewable Energy
Part of Nexamp’s core solution is capturing the free renewable energy sources at your facility -- solar, wind, and micro-hydro power. Renewable energy offsets the amount of “brown power” that you purchase from a utility company, and provides a long-term means to hedge against rising energy costs while making a substantial reduction in your carbon footprint. Learn more about renewable energy.
Solar PV
Photovoltaic (PV) systems are a popular solution, in large part because of the simplicity of the technology and the economic incentives. Facilities with large, open roofs or ground space can utilize PV arrays to generate electricity. Nexamp’s systems use no batteries: Solar electricity is fed directly into your building’s main electrical system and net metered. PV systems will function year-round nearly free of maintenance for several decades, providing reliable power with proven technology.
PV arrays consist of two main components: modules and an inverter. Typical commercial PV arrays consist of several hundred modules, or solar panels, each about 3X6 feet in size. The modules are securely mounted at low profiles (about 12 inches) on the roof, often without any penetration of the roof itself. The array feeds power through an inverter, which converts DC to AC power, and into your electrical distribution system.
The power output of a PV system is directly proportional to the surface area of its modules. A standard module under full sun will generate around 150 watts AC, or enough electricity to power eight to 10 CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs for as long as the sun shines.
Solar Thermal
Solar thermal systems are the most efficient and cost-effective technology for heating hot water with solar energy. Many businesses and municipal buildings -- hotels, restaurants, gymnasiums, aquatic centers, and schools -- use extensive amounts of hot water for their operations. Nexamp’s solar thermal solutions pre-heat water, substantially offsetting the amount of energy purchased from a utility. These systems have been successfully used for decades to heat domestic hot water and swimming pools, as well as other specialty applications. Solar thermal systems can be integrated in northern and southern latitudes for year-round use, even in below-freezing conditions.
A solar thermal system consists of dozens of solar collectors; a glycol loop with a pump; and a heat exchanger. Each collector is about the size of a sheet of 4X8 plywood and is protected by aluminum frames and tempered safety glass. The collectors are designed to withstand extremely harsh weather conditions, including high winds and hail. The glycol loop contains propylene glycol, a non-toxic heat transfer fluid, which cycles between the collectors and a heat exchanger within the building. A controller monitors solar resources, pumping the fluid only when the system is generating heat. The heat is transferred to the hot water via a heat exchanger. That exchanger is often part of a solar storage tank that acts as a “battery” for holding solar heat until it is ready to be used by the building.
Solar thermal systems are designed specifically for the application that they support and the size is proportionate to the amount of energy required and the frequency of use. For most applications, a solar thermal system can offset most of the energy required by heating applications with fewer than a dozen collectors.
Wind Power
Facilities located in windy areas, especially near the coast or in mountainous regions, may benefit from wind power. Wind turbine generators harvest wind energy day and night, offsetting the amount of power that must be purchased from a utility. Adequate wind resources and zoning restrictions are critical considerations when siting wind turbines.
Wind turbines vary in size, from light applications that could generate enough power for a typical home or farm to large-scale generators that could power a commercial building or community. Smaller-scale systems typically use blades 15 to 25 feet in diameter set atop a 100-foot tower. Larger systems can have a 150-foot blade diameter over 300 feet above ground. Much like photovoltaic systems, wind turbines interconnect directly with the building’s main electrical system and may be net metered.
Micro-Hydro Power
Micro-hydro generators can be used by facilities adjacent to a steady water source. These generators require a pressure head, often supplied by a dam, to power generators of up to 100 kW. Micro-hydro systems, much like wind systems, work both day and night, which results in high capacity factors. Micro-hydro systems have been used for over a century to produce electricity. Modern generators are efficiently sized to integrate into flood management systems. Micro-hydro systems either connect to a facility’s electrical distribution system, utilizing a net meter, or act as stand-alone power sources in emergencies. Completely automated systems can be installed with Internet and PC interfacing.