Solar Technologies announces the commissioning of its first SunPower commercial installation. Feeney, Inc. of Oakland, California chose Solar Technologies to install a 90 kW solar system capable of meeting all of its energy demands. Feeney, founded in 1948 as a supplier of maritime, industrial, and construction rigging products, is now more commonly known as a leading U.S. manufacturer of high quality stainless steel and aluminum railing, cable, and trellis products, marketed under their Feeney Architectural Products and Feeney Garden Products lines. Working metal with machining tools is energy intensive. Feeney is capping its electrical expenses while showing its customers that it is a good environmental citizen.

Solar Technologies, a Santa Cruz, California based solar installer, began the process of designing the roof installations in the summer of 2010, working with the City of Oakland on logistics to get approvals for the various portions of the project in the industrial district. The solar installation consists of arrays on Feeney’s two buildings, one with an 18 degree standing seam metal roof, the other on a flat membrane roof. Both roofs support arrays of 190 SunPower 238 watt panels, each serviced by a Satcon 50 kW inverter, for a total of 380 panels with a rating of 90.4 kW DC.

"Feeney’s commitment to the community is evident and we were excited to be working with them. Their new solar system uses SunPower 238 watt panels which are the most efficient panels on the market at 19.1%, whereas typical panels yield 15%," said Kent Bossange, Commercial Sales Manager for Solar Technologies.

There were special challenges with the flat roof with skylights. The roof had been prone to leaks until it was sealed with a membrane. A low chafe, ballasted system was the answer to Feeney’s concerns. A key feature of interest to Feeney is SunPower’s T10 self-ballasted system which makes no penetrations in the roof.

"As a forward-thinking company, Feeney is committed to environmental preservation, which starts in our own community. We are dedicated to improving quality and resource efficiency in all levels of business operations. This solar installation is a step in that direction. And with a 100% energy consumption offset, solar power will impact the company's future investment return substantially," said Andy Toimil, Vice President of Operations for Feeney, Inc.

About Solar Technologies
Solar Technologies is a solar power installer, designing and building state-of-the-art solar power systems for commercial and residential electric users for the past thirteen years. Visit the website at www.SolarTechnologies.com or call 831-421-0440 for more information about installing a solar power system on your home or business.  

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