United Solar July 14 announced that its Uni-Solar photovoltaic rooftop products will be used on what is considered a unique, first-ever new school construction project in Kentucky. Morton Solar & Wind LLC. has secured a $2.16-million contract to install a 340-kilowatt photovoltaic system on the new Richardsville Elementary School, which is undergoing construction near Bowling Green, Ky. The system is expected to become the largest photovoltaic system in Kentucky to date, and the school is projected to be the first net-zero energy elementary school in the United States. A net-zero building produces as much energy as it uses. Uni-Solar rooftop products are flexible, thin-film solar laminates.
The school is scheduled to open this fall, possibly Labor Day weekend, Morton President Brad Morton told GBI, noting that the photovoltaic system is scheduled to go online in December.
The solar system consists of two separate systems, Morton said. The larger system consists of a 215-kilowatt UniSolar Laminate panel system, which will be attached to a membrane roof. The smaller system consists of a 140-kW Sanyo Bifacial panel system. Both systems will have Satcon PowerGate Plus inverters.
