PV Attachment Clamps By S-5! Provide Penetration-Free Installation Of Solar Panels

Workers place panels on the metal roof of the Stanley British Primary School in Denver. Thepanels of the 66 kW solar electric system were installed without penetrating the roof surface.
The completed array.
Interverts on the ground.

Denver, CO – When it comes to solar electric expertise, companies in Colorado have plenty to offer. One Denver area school discovered as much first-hand when it began exploring opportunities to use solar electric as a means of meeting a significant portion of its energy demands.

The Stanley British Primary School is an independent, K-8 school in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood. It was organized in 1972 as a single model British Primary classroom of 28 students housed in a local church but today is a thriving, innovative K-8 school of 420 pupils. The decision of officials to seek alternative energy sources for its facilities was in perfect keeping with the school’s mission.

“The solar installation reflects our value of responsible stewardship of our environment, and we hope it may inspire others to act in a similar fashion,” said Tim Barrier, Head of School.

Helping the school explore the available solar options was a local developer and financier of clean energy solutions, Renewable Technology Partners (RTP). The firm leverages innovative deal structures, best-of-breed technology and a broad base of investors to deliver optimal results.

“We have built our business by partnering with world class companies and making sense of the complex Federal, State, Local and Utility incentive landscape to provide attractive clean energy solutions for owner/operators, while at the same time generating market-leading returns for our investors,” explained Mark Pardun, managing partner. “We are pleased to have been the catalyst for such a great project and are extremely proud that were able to use 100% American designed and manufactured product.”

Working with a private investor under a Power Purchase Agreement structure, RTP partnered with Boulder-based Simple Solar to design, engineer, install and commission the Stanley British Primary School’s 66 kW solar electric system. PPAs are a common mechanism used by developers to facilitate third-party ownership and operation of solar systems, providing an economical way for non-profits and businesses to receive the benefit of solar power with no out-of-pocket costs.

Having offered complete photovoltaic system services in the Colorado Front Range since 1998, Simple Solar brought a wealth of experience to the project. But for additional commercial and general contracting expertise, it enlisted the help of Boulder, CO-based Deneuve Construction.

“We are proud to be integral to this endeavor to expand renewable energy, help Colorado clients save money, educate Colorado youth on the value of a sustainable future, employ smart Colorado people, and team with capable Colorado partners,” said Joe Callahan, founder and CEO.

Like the principals and contractors, the manufacturers involved in the Stanley British project were also all Colorado based.

The thin-film solar modules were manufactured by Abound Solar of Loveland, CO. The company’s production technology was originally developed by its founders at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. The company recently secured a $400 million, seven-year loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to expand its solar module manufacturing capabilities.

The inverters were produced by Advanced Energy of Fort Collins. The company is a leading manufacturer of commercial inverters and features integration with smart grid technologies.

The S-5-PV Kit allows solar panel systems to be mounted without penetrating the metal roof surface.

And securing the solar panels to the roof were PV attachment clamps by S-5! of Colorado Springs, CO. S-5! delivers innovative metal roof attachment systems for almost any ancillary rooftop device. The company’s S-5-PV Kit allows solar systems to be mounted on standing seam metal roofs without penetrating the roof panels. This attachment protects the integrity of the Stanley British Primary School roof, leaving all warranties intact.

“Our S-5-PV Kit has proven itself on large-array projects before, and we’ve heard back from engineers and project managers that they’ve never installed solar systems so quickly,” noted Rob Haddock, founder. “This fast and easy installation saved Stanley British labor costs, while the kit itself has one of the lowest costs on the market. S-5! has always been the loudest voice advocating the perfect marriage between metal roofs and PV systems for sustainability and energy savings, and we are very happy to be a part of this project!”

The solar components installed on the roof, while meeting the energy goals of the school, are also providing an important educational benefit. Simple Solar has been working with the Stanley British School to develop and deliver a solar curriculum for students there. Through integration within Stanley’s innovative hands-on curriculum, the solar project provides a focal point for lessons integrating math, science, conservation, and ecology. Stanley students and their families are also learning concrete ways about the difference everyone can make in sustaining the environment.