UT Southwestern Medical Center | Dallas, TX | 300 kW System

Scope of Work

SunDurance Energy was awarded a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract to design/build a 300 KW solar photovoltaic parking canopies energy system at the Thermal Plant parking lot on the campus of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) in Dallas, Texas.   The project included a $2,000,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and all equipment adhered to the “Buy American” program of ARRA. The primary objectives of the project were wide ranging to reduce UTSW’s utility usage during “peak” utility load periods, reduce overall electrical costs, promote innovative renewable energy to the public with a highly visible site, reduce  carbon emissions, create solar industry jobs, and provide shaded parking.

Brief Description of Effort

SunDurance designed a system that optimizes the energy output based upon the southwest orientation (225 degree azimuth) and the 8,000 square feet of available space while allowing the drive aisles to remain fully functional.  SunDurance teamed with Kyocera and Solaire Generation to design the system using 1,250 Kyocera KD240GX Wp manufactured at their San Diego, CA facility and mounted on three Solaire Generation Solaris fixed-tilt elevated mounting structure with a 10 degree tilt.  

The solar system was connected to UTSW’s Thermal Plant electrical room and tie into the utility meter. The system is projected to produce 406,281 kWh in year 1, which will equate to annual greenhouse gas emissions from 55 cars and will produce enough electricity to power 35 homes on an annual basis.

The project had an aggressive 12 week timeframe for completion due to the ARRA requirements. SunDurance completed installation 1 week early and it satisfied the required utilization of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) subcontracting plan. UTSW will own and maintain the solar PV system.