The Solution
The contractor selected the Merchant & Evans ZIP-RIB roof for its particular use in curved, low-slope and steep-slope applications, such as the Santa María building. The S-5! PVKIT along with the S-5-Z™ Mini clamp were chosen to secure 492 PV modules on the upper, north, west, and east façades, enabling installers to follow the curved roof line. Aesthetically, the solar array is low-profile and aligns flush with the new metal roof due to S-5!’s DirectAttach™ method. The PVKIT solar attachments are securely mounted directly onto the seams of the roof, eliminating the need for a traditional rail system.
By eliminating rails, the result is an aesthetically pleasing, zero-penetration system that preserves the roof structure and does not void roof warranties. The array even provides autonomous lighting at outdoor meeting points in the event of a power outage. By adopting solar technology, the UCA was able to supplement 7% of the building’s power demand and produce energy to feed into its electrical system, resulting in a more energy-efficient building that’s now compliant with the law.
