Higher Education
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NIACC Solar Project
MODUS successfully completed the NIACC Solar PV Field and Rooftop Installations project, a significant milestone in the field of renewable energy.
Construction Cost
$6 Million
Completion Date
Summer 2020
Category
Higher Education
Higher Education
NIACC Solar Project
MODUS successfully completed the NIACC Solar PV Field and Rooftop Installations project, a significant milestone in the field of renewable energy.
Project narrative
MODUS successfully completed the NIACC Solar PV Field and Rooftop Installations project, a significant milestone in the field of renewable energy. The project involved the strategic placement of solar arrays across the NIACC campus and on specific campus rooftops adjacent to existing energy meters. This innovative design allowed NIACC to install 150% more solar energy capacity than if they installed solar at a single interconnection point.
The overall solar production at NIACC will offset approximately 50% of their annual energy usage, translating to roughly $392,200 in annual electric utility savings.
Project Features
Natural gas generator sets Each building utilizing solar has its own individual meter Parallel electric connection with Alliant Energy Microgrid Central Control of PV and Generators
Current Campus Energy Consumption
6,416,560 kWh's at a current cost of $673,991 / year Total Number of Meters Supported by the Solar Generation: 12 Meters 5 - Supported by Solar Ground Arrays Across Campus 4 - Supported by Solar Roof Arrays
Total Number of Solar Modules (Panels)
5,800 Bi-facial Modules
Total Number of String Inverters
42 Inverters Controlled by Microgrid Control System
Total Number of Generators
7 Kohler Natural Gas Generators installed for Load Shedding totaling 1.08 MW All generators are connected to the microgrid control system 5 - 180kW for Activity Center, Auditorium, Careers, and McAllister (2) 1 - 100kW for Administration 1 - 80kW for Central Plant
Total Solar Generation
2,547 kW DC (2.55 MW DC) producing: 3,565,496 kWh's (3.565 MWH's) or $392,200 / Year
Percent of Current Consumption Replacement
Approximately 58% Reduces Energy Cost by over $10.7MM in the next 25 Years This project stands as one of the largest solar projects by a community college in the nation and arguably the most unique and complex. It is a testament to MODUS's commitment to innovative and sustainable engineering solutions.
Engineering service
Electrical Engineering
Engineering service
Sustainable Engineering
Engineering service
Facility Planning
Gallery
Related services
The expertise behind the building solution.
Related services show how technical scope connects to client objectives, design intent, operations, and the people who use the building.
Power + Lighting
MODUSElectrical Engineering
Electrical engineering that connects power, lighting, life safety, capacity, and future needs to the building's real use.
Common project types
Building light and powerMedium voltage distributionEmergency power
Performance Strategy
MODUSSustainable Engineering
Sustainable engineering that integrates building performance with environmental, social, economic, operational, and community goals.
Common project types
LEED projectsSolar projectsGeothermal projects
Planning + Studies
MODUSFacility Planning
Facility planning that helps owners understand existing systems, future needs, capital priorities, phasing, and practical options before design begins.
Common project types
Existing-condition assessmentsInfrastructure master planningFeasibility studies
Next step
Turn project objectives into a clear engineering plan.
NIACC Solar Project is a MODUS portfolio project in Mason City, IA categorized as Higher Education. MODUS successfully completed the NIACC Solar PV Field and Rooftop Installations project, a significant milestone in the field of renewable energy. The project involved the strategic placement of solar arrays across the NIACC campus and on specific campus rooftops adjacent to existing energy meters.