The installation completed in June 2012, required an especially robust solution to accommodate the fierce wind loads that frequently bear down on Haiti during strong seasonal hurricanes.
Most importantly, the installation allows the shelter to access a stable supply of energy and supplements Haiti's unreliable grid power, thus ensuring a safe and healthy environment for 64 children, many of whom were displaced during the catastrophic 2010 earthquake.
"We are proud to have been a part of this important humanitarian effort to provide a safe haven for some of Haiti's most vulnerable citizens," comments Unirac CEO Peter Lorenz. "Making reliable power for this home a reality was of utmost importance, and we understood that our ability to provide NRG with the highest level of customer support would, in turn, ensure a seamless installation at Zanmi Beni."
SM(E) was the ideal solution for this project due to its durability and performance superiority. NRG reports that the Zanmi Beni installation successfully withstood the forces of Hurricane Isaac in August 2012 and is pleased with the dependability of the Unirac racking product. The International Council Code recently certified SM(E) for its adherence to the AC428 standard of product excellence. "Unirac's SM(E) solution was integral to the success of our Zanmi Beni installation as it met or exceeded our wind load requirements for a hurricane prone environment," comments John Bates, Senior Vice President, NRG Solar.
Unirac hosted NRG personnel at company headquarters in Albuquerque, NM; building a simulated roof in order to provide installation training. "The rooftop training demonstrated how easy and straightforward the installation would be," Bates adds. The stateside roof simulation allowed the NRG team to skillfully lead the volunteer group to a quick install on site in Haiti in June 2012. "Our competitive edge is credited in part to our creative and diligent Unirac teamwho continually raise the bar on customer service." explains Lorenz.
Unirac advocated the use of SM(E) for the pitched-roof structure due to its strength. "SM(E)'s ICC designation reflects adherence to the latest industry standards for safety, which takes into account high winds and seismic loads," says Juan Suarez, director of engineering, Unirac. Unirac strives to offer PV mounting products that meet or exceed the industry's highest standardsand will continue to work with ICC to foster advances in engineering quality and safety.
Zanmi Beni is located north of Port-au-Prince, and is designed to house abandoned and physically- and developmentally-disabled children (many of whom were displaced with the devastating 2010 earthquake). The project was a joint effort of Partners in Health, its Haitian sister organization Zanmi Lasante (ZL), and Operation Blessing International.
