Coronado Senior Housing Solar Thermal Installation
Eagle River, AlaskaProject Summary:
| General Contractor: | Klebs Mechanical Inc. |
| Engineer: | RSA Engineers |
| Project Duration: | February, 2014 thru July, 2014 |
| Services Provided: | Design and install Solar Thermal heating system |
Relevant Team Members:
Project Manager: Mike Martin
Plumbing Operations Supervisor: Randy Switzer
Project Description:
Cook Inlet Housing Authority was in the process of constructing a 4-story senior housing development in Eagle River, Alaska. A phase of the project included designing and installing a solar thermal heating system that would reduce the overall energy consumption of the building by 5% annually. This led to the largest solar thermal installation in the state at the time. The project included
- Design and development of the overall solar thermal system, controls, and pipe sizing. Design was reviewed not only for performance, but also to stay within budget parameters
- Installation of 56 – 4×10 solar thermal panels and associated piping and accessories
- Design and develop racking system that would support the panels and withstand wind loads of up to 120 MPH. A racking system was developed with the help of PND engineers utilizing an aluminum truss in an A-frame construction to withstand harsh weather, lower building maintenance efforts, provide strength, and support solar array components across building spans.
- Installation of solar thermal hot water storage tanks – over 3,000 gallon capacity
- Coordinate schedules and installation activities with construction efforts performed under separate contract.
- Final product provides an average of 50% of the total domestic hot water load of the building, and can provide 100% of the demand during peak solar energy days.