The U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) Denver Federal Center (DFC) campus is nearing the completion of its nearly 7 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) project. This project combined, with an existing 1.2 MW solar park, will provide more than 15% of the DFC's electrical needs annually.

The combined capacity of all of the solar arrays is enough to power 1,064 residential homes for one year. The project's final phase, originally scheduled for 3.45 MW, has been increased to 3.5 MW. All told, the project is GSA's largest solar installation across the United States, and all campus PV is expected to be online by the end of 2011.

In 2007, GSA installed its first, six-acre, 1.2 MW solar PV park, which includes 6,192 solar panels at the 624-acre campus in Lakewood, Colo. In 2009, GSA received additional funding to add nearly 7 MW more PV.

"GSA has made great strides over the years reducing energy consumption in buildings and we are well under way in turning our vision of becoming the greenest campus by 2020 into a reality," said Susan Damour, GSA Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator. "The past couple of years have been an unprecedented opportunity for GSA to help create and sustain jobs all across the country."

In 2009, E Light Wind and Solar, Inc./Centerre, a Colorado small business joint venture company was awarded a design-build contract for the installation of the additional solar at the DFC. The solar is being installed in a two-phased approach. The first phase was completed ahead of schedule and brought online December 15, 2010.

It included roof replacement and the design and installation of a 3.2-MW solar PV system. In all, 14,612 roof-mounted, 224-watt solar panels were installed on Buildings 20, 56 and 810. In the final phase, the company is installing 14,352 245-watt solar panels manufactured by SolarWorld at its factories in Camarillo, Calif., and Hillsboro, Ore., as well as products from other U.S. technology manufacturers.

"I applaud our workforce for a successful installation with these multiple applications," said Perry Herrmann, President/CEO of E Light Wind and Solar, Inc.

"Being able to provide the DFC with more renewable power has surpassed our expectations with this installation and is a testament to the skill and professionalism of our electricians."

Kevin Kilkelly, president of SolarWorld Americas, said the collaboration among U.S. businesses and employees involved in manufacturing and installing solar technology and balance-of-system components at a federal government site has been a heartening sign of the nation's promising renewable-energy future.

"Renewable energy technology and its manufacture and installation are more than mere sources of clean electricity," says Kilkelly, whose company has been the largest U.S. solar technology manufacturer for more than 35 years.

"They are the very keys to the nation's energy supply and affordability, international and economic stability, and environmental and climate stewardship. By tapping the many strengths and ingenuity of the American workforce, this project has quite simply bolstered the country's path toward greater security."

The final phase originally was planned for 3.45 MW but was increased to 3.5 MW. The work includes ground-mount solar arrays visible near the main entrance on Kipling Avenue; ground-mount solar arrays located near Sixth Avenue; and 14 carport structures with solar panels on top at Buildings 20, 25, 53, 810 on the DFC campus.

The last phase features solar ground-mounting systems from Schletter Inc. in Arizona; carport racking from Tra-Mage in Utah; and PV inverters from Satcon in California.

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