The carport is expected to offset 95% of the facilitys power usage and save the club over $2 million in electricity costs. Carports have emerged as a popular platform for solar arrays, however, Santa Anas model offers one-of-a-kind design elements including integrated Spanish-style steel corbels, a minimalist racking design, locally-sourced hand-blown glass emblems, LED energy-efficient lighting and a custom paint job seamlessly integrated with surrounding buildings.
Osceola Energy, the unique projects installer, was founded by a husband and wife team who wanted to combine their talents in design and electrical contracting with their passion for a sustainable New Mexico. Founded in 2009, the electrical contracting company focused primarily on residential applications before moving to commercial projects.
Not having developed a solar carport before the SAGC project, the company drew on inspiration from its native New Mexico surroundings, incorporating colors, design features and simplicity that is prolific within the region. The carport has important environmental and economic impacts, Christopher Fortson, Marketing Director at Osceola Energy remarked.
In addition to those benefits, the design elements allow the carport to demonstrate that renewables such as solar have many practical applications beyond simple rooftop arrays and solar farms.
Our fundamental belief is that renewable energy systems should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, Fortson said. All too often we hear that solar is ugly, and we stand to challenge that perception. Our motto is solar so beautiful, youll want to show it off.
We chose Osceola Energy because of its focus on aesthetics, as well as its extensive knowledge of solar energy systems, Derek Gutierrez, director of the Santa Ana Golf Club, said about the facilitys decision to go solar with the New Mexico-based EPC. Integrating renewable energy is important to us; its part of our commitment to environmental sustainability in New Mexico.
The installation consists of 840 polycrystalline Canadian Solar panels with a capacity to produce 250 kW (DC) per hour, while also serving the practical function of shading guests vehicles. SAGCs carport powers all of its facilities, including the Prairie Star Restaurant and Wind Dancer Bar & Grill.
About 800,000 lbs of carbon emissions will be reduced annually. Osceola Energy will operate and maintain the system, allowing SAGC to focus on its daily operations and patron needs. The two companies look forward to a greener future for New Mexico, and hope other local businesses will follow suit.
Solar systems have been around since the 1950s, but are finally becoming more prevalent and practical because of advancements in the industry that have lowered the cost, said Adam Harper, president and CEO of Osceola Energy. Customers are seeing that they can save money on energy costs and help the environment at the same time. It just makes sense.
