Solar Atmospheres of California (SCA), located in Fontana, CA, provides state-of-the-art vacuum thermal processing services. In response to the challenges of California’s energy market, SCA commissioned and installed the state’s largest commercial solar + energy storage system. Products from Colorado Springs, CO-based S-5! played in key role in helping bring the project to fruition.

By combining onsite generation, an advanced energy storage system and a world-class artificial intelligence-powered analytics platform, SCA optimizes energy usage by automatically switching between onsite generation, battery power and grid power. The robust system enables SCA to achieve a wide variety of goals, including energy expense reductions through reduced peak demand, onsite renewable power generation and demand response program participation.

The digitally connected energy storage network includes a 772-kW PV solar system and a 1,561-kW/3,122kWh Tesla battery storage system on twin 20,000+ square foot metal buildings.  The buildings were manufactured by American Buildings Co. and are topped with the company's Long Span III trapezoidal, exposed-fastened metal roofing. The solar modules are secured to the metal roof by S-5!’s PVKIT® solar solution and RibBracket™III.

The Challenge

With more than 60 furnaces for vacuum heat treating and brazing services, ranging from lab-size research and development furnaces to the largest commercial vacuum furnace (48 feet long, 150,000-pound capacity), the site experiences very high energy demands and energy charges. The customer requested the largest solar system the building could handle. 

The project's general contactor and solar array installer, SunGreen Systems, worked with its energy storage partner, Stem, to propose a combined solar and Tesla battery storage system to shave the demand and arbitrage energy.

The Solution

SunGreen Systems installed solar on every possible area of the roof; built an addition to the southern building for more roof space; and installed two cantilevered carports along the property line–to provide additional hosting of solar arrays.

They chose S-5! products because the solar attachments provided design flexibility in attachment locations.  In addition, the lightweight solution allowed them to avoid costly retrofits.

During initial client meetings, SunGreen Systems demonstrated the reliable racking solution via a sample kit provided by S-5!, enabling the client to find the right clamp for the project and allowing them to see first-hand the factory-installed gaskets that would preserve the building’s integrity.  The S-5! team worked with SunGreen Systems to obtain a Bill of Materials (BOM) for the project so they could determine their exact costs for such a large project.  Additionally, the team worked hands-on with their crew on-site to demonstrate best practices for rail-less installation, including advance module preparation while other crew members completed the electrical work.

The investment was particularly attractive to SCA because of two federal tax incentives and additional state-sponsored incentives. The company expects a full return on investment within 30-36 months.

Project Team

Engineer: Paul Truong
General Contractor: SunGreen Systems Inc.
Solar Installer: SunGreen Systems Inc.
Battery Storage Partner: Stem
Module Manufacturer: URE
Inverter Manufacturer: Delta
Solar Mounting System: S-5!

Project Stats

Roof Size: 2 roofs, each measuring  90’ x 225’ (x2) = 40,500 ft²
Carport Size: 40’ x 150’ (16’ clear height) (x2) = 12,000 ft²
Roof Pitch & Carport Pitch: 5°
Roof Profile: 26-gage, American Buildings Long Span III trapezoidal, exposed-fastened

Solar Project Size: 772-kW DC TOTAL / 570-kW DC metal roof
Solar Modules: 1,494 rooftop; URE 380W panels
Battery System: 14 Tesla Powerpacks @ 1,561-kW/3,122-kWh
S-5! Products Supplied:  PVKIT® and RibBracket™ III (2976)