M ARIN C OUNTY O FFICE E NERGY C ONSERVATION, P OWER P RODUCTION AND COST SAVINGS

Authors

  • Arno Harris Prevalent Power, Inc
  • Marc Roper RWE SCHOTT Solar Inc.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.1932

Abstract

In 2003, Marin County took an important step towards its
sustainability and energy conservation goals by installing an 89-kilowatt
(kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system on its General Services Building in
San Rafael, California. After completing a competitive selection process,
the county brought in Prevalent Power and RWE SCHOTT Solar Inc.
(RSS), which together engineered a PV system that would zero the
building’s electricity bills and eliminate harmful emissions.
Using RSS’ SunRoof FS™ flat-roof system, the companies engi-
neered a non-penetrating mounting solution for the photovoltaic mod-
ules.
The PV system was designed to replace 92% of the building’s en-
ergy* usage. Using a combination of net metering and time-of-use rates,
the county will zero the building’s annual energy bill even though
they’re not completely replacing its energy usage. The system was fi-
nanced using a combination of rebates and low-interest state energy
loans. Over its lifetime, the system will generate $1.1 million in direct
energy cost savings. The result is a system payback period of 12 years. This case study article provides an inside look at the PV engineer-
ing process, presents a set of best practices in PV system design and
installation, and examines the economic and environmental rationale for
purchasing the system.

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Author Biographies

Arno Harris, Prevalent Power, Inc

Arno Harris is the Chief Executive Officer of Prevalent Power, Inc.
Prevalent Power is one of California’s fastest growing providers of large-
scale solar power systems. Arno is an experienced executive and entre-
preneur with a successful track record of building and growing innova-
tive businesses. He is a founding member of two successful companies:
RedEnvelope (NASDAQ:REDE) and Novo Media Group, Inc (sold to
Bcom3). His background combines marketing, engineering, and consult-
ing with experience servicing such clients as Toyota Motor Sales USA,
GlaxoWellcome, MCI, Apple Computer, Hewlett-Packard, Nikkon Preci-
sion, IKEA International, and NBC Digital Publishing. Arno is a pub-
lished author, private pilot, and graduate of UC Berkeley. Mr. Harris may
be reached at aharris@prevalentpower.com.

Marc Roper, RWE SCHOTT Solar Inc.

Marc Roper is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at RWE
SCHOTT Solar, Inc. Marc Roper joined RWE SCHOTT Solar Inc. in
2003 as Director of Sales, helping to lead the sales organization
through the merger of Schott Applied Power and ASE America. Marc
has over 14 years of experience in the PV industry, ranging from PV
system design to state energy policy to sales channel management.
Marc holds Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science
in Engineering and Bachelor of Music degrees, all from the University
of Colorado, Boulder.

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Published

2004-06-16

How to Cite

Harris, A. ., & Roper, M. . (2004). M ARIN C OUNTY O FFICE E NERGY C ONSERVATION, P OWER P RODUCTION AND COST SAVINGS. Distributed Generation &Amp; Alternative Energy Journal, 19(3), 20–34. https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.1932

Issue

2004: Vol 19 Iss 3

Section

Articles