Commercial & Industrial Solar PV

Glenbarra Energy offers turnkey solar PV solutions for large-scale projects. Our extensive engineering and contracting expertise in the renewable industry, coupled with leading-edge products provides our customers with long-term, sustainable energy solutions. Our high performance solar PV products, combined with live energy performance monitoring and reporting capabilities, helps Glenbarra Energy customers realize their energy savings while reducing their energy consumption.

Glenbarra takes a careful and conservative approach to project installation choosing to work with superior suppliers of products that are durable, adoptable across multiple structure types and yet facilitate a simplified approach to construction efficiency. We are currently working with leading manufacturers of photovoltaic parts and are contracted with largest provider of solar mounting systems in Europe to meet the targeted 60% Ontario content requirement to ensure that all OPA FIT criteria is met.

Solar PV System Design, Installation and Project Management Expertise

To construct installations across multiple locations requires an efficient method of evaluating the suitability of the proposed sites and identifying potential construction issues that maybe specific to that location.  Glenbarra utilizes a Client Self Assessment form to help capture basic location information that may be of use for planning and scheduling purposes.  Such information as the height of the building, age, building use, roof type, shading and other pertinent facts can be captured without requiring a site visit as a first point of contact.  Tools such as satellite imaging will also be utilized in the initial property assessment.

Our Services include:

• System concept design
• Building modifications/requirements to accommodate renewable energy
• Feasibility Assessments
• LEED review services relating to renewable technologies
• Technology review and recommendations
• Specification of renewable product suppliers and installer identification
• OPA and CIA assessment application submission
• Construction and Project management Consulting
• Project Commissioning
• Monitoring
• Service and Maintenance

Our Process

Feasibility Assessment

Glenbarra Energy has gained valuable experience from its active involvement in the detailed design and development phase of each Project that we have undertaken. We are able to assess the best application of available renewable technologies by evaluating a proposed location against set criteria and are therefore able to recommend a financially viable solution.

Each site is evaluated for their solar potential and the electrical and structural feasibility of each building to be configured to accept a system.

The screening process includes:

• Solar site analysis: This would include shading analysis, orientation, and tilt of the potential solar array.
• Overview of the existing electrical and hot water systems for ability to integrate the solar system.
• Assessment of available space for related system equipment.
• Structural observations to determine if there are limitations that may prohibit the additional load capacity of the solar arrays.

OPA FIT Application Process

As a first step in the process for consideration of integrating/installing a Solar Photovoltaic System on a building, Glenbarra Energy recommends the submission of an Ontario Power Authority (OPA) FIT/MicroFIT application. (Click to find out more about the FIT and MicroFIT programs.)

As part of our services, Glenbarra Energy has a First Step Program for system greater than 10KW wherein we provide the following:

• FIT application completion, associated documents and submissions including OPA fee performed by Glenbarra Energy’s in-house counsel.
• Proposed solar system layout on building roof
• Solar Simulation including estimated electrical energy generation and return on investment (ROI)

Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) Application

The Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) is the next step in the process in getting approval for the installation of a solar PV system.  The CIA is a more detailed assessment of the impact projects with systems greater than 10kW in size would have on the distribution grid.  The assessment includes a technical report outlining project feasibility and technical specifications needed for the project.  Once the OPA FIT contract has been awarded, Glenbarra Energy will complete the required submission documents and application form, signed and sealed by one of our in house licensed Ontario Professional Engineers (P.ENG) and submit to the appropriate local utility company (LDC) on behalf of our Client/Owner. 

System Design

During the Design Phase the Glenbarra Energy Team works closely with Electrical and Structural Engineers to design a System that will perform to meet design criteria and the needs of the Client/Owner whilst integrating seamlessly into the existing building structure and electrical systems. 

Product Selection

Glenbarra Energy takes a careful and conservative approach to project installation choosing to work with superior suppliers of products that are durable and adaptable across multiple structure types and yet facilitate a simplified approach to construction efficiency.

Permitting

Glenbarra Energy has worked with numerous municipalities in Ontario in the permitting process for Renewable Energy Projects including electrical/mechanical systems and entire design build projects. As part of our services we will be involved in the submission process required to obtain all necessary approvals and permits for the solar PV system installation.  Each of our renewable energy projects are built to code and meet all required regulations.

Once all approvals and permits are obtained our Project Management team will develop a detailed installation and commissioning schedule.

Project Management

Glenbarra directly manages its project construction through its in-house project managers and project design coordinator with supervision at the job site provided by the construction managers.  We take a customer focused approach to completing our projects, ensuring that there is successful scheduling, budgeting, site safety, availability of material, logistics, and minimal inconvenience to the Clients/Owners while the project is ongoing.

Commissioning

Upon completion of the installation of the System, Glenbarra Energy will obtain approval from the local utility to connect the PV system to the utility grid, commission and activate the PV system to start generating electricity.

Our standard commissioning plan includes:

• Visually inspect entire installation, identifying and resolving any deficiencies in materials or workmanship
• Check system mechanical installation for structural integrity and weather sealing
• Check electrical installation for proper wiring practice, polarity, grounding and integrity of terminations
• Verify overall system functionality and performance, compare with expectations

Monitoring

Subsequent to the System commissioning a system graphic can provide real-time energy management and monitoring information.

As part of the energy management of each installation, Glenbarra Energy offers an ongoing monitoring system developed in Canada that can be monitored onsite and viewed remotely (see graphic below).  The metering data can be used monitor revenue generation form the electricity produced by the solar system and quantify the fossil fuel energy offset and corresponding Green House Gases (GHG) that have been reduced.

Energy Management and Monitoring (PV)

Above: Solar Photovoltaic Graphic Energy Display

The monitoring system allows the customer to control their finances by providing independent information on the electricity generated from each PV installation, as compared to the information received from the utility company.  The data on the solar energy produced, revenue generation and the CO2 emission saved can also be used for educational and public relation purposes.  The long term maintenance of the system can be assessed using this remote monitoring system and corrective steps taken to ensure the continuing high level of operating efficiency of the system.

Typical Solar Photovoltaic System Overview

A solar grid-tied system consists of a grouping of solar PV (photovoltaic) panels organized into a configuration called an array that converts sunlight into DC electricity. An inverter then takes the DC power generated by the array and converts it into an AC output suitable for connection to the local utility.

Roof top Systems can be either owned – energy generator receiving feed-in-tariff (see FIT and MicroFIT programs) – or the roof space is leased to a third party system owner.