Photovoltaic Solutions

Our expertise with complex roofing projects and rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems allows us to specify a PV solution designed to meet your specific energy-cost-reduction goals.

Rooftops are a popular location for PV installations because rooftop PV systems reduce energy costs while taking advantage of underutilized real estate. However, rooftops have their own unique requirements and challenges that must be considered and overcome in order to create an effective and long-term marriage between the roof and the solar array. When considering a rooftop solar array for a building, you need to begin your conceptualization as early into the project as possible. That's why a design-build firm such as DBS, which specializes in complex roofing solutions, is an ideal choice for designing and implementing your rooftop PV installation.

DBS is also experienced in providing free-standing PV installations for applications where rooftop installation is impractical.

New Construction

Specifying a rooftop PV system during the initial phases of building design simplifies the process and reduces costs since potential obstacles can be properly located and the electrical system can be planned as an integral part of the entire building. 

Retrofit Projects

Retrofit applications have certain advantages as well. Once your facility is up and running, you know what your electrical requirements are, and what you'd like to achieve through a PV solution.

Design Considerations

Although the challenges differ between retrofit and new construction applications, every rooftop solar project needs to adapt to the same limiting factors. Those considerations include:

• Obstacles, such as drains, HVAC, walls, vents, and neighboring structures
• Climate and other environmental concerns, such as salt spray or corrosive atmospheres
• Load capabilities, since a the solar array will add to the weight load on the roof
• Wind uplift, since the solar array may change the wind load distribution on the roof
• Blocking, since an improperly positioned array might restrict access to other equipment on the roof, such as drains
• Roof slope, since the angle, direction, and/or lack of slope all affect solar performance
• Orientation, since it the positioning of the solar relay in relation to the sun will determine its output efficiency
• Size, since there is only so much rooftop available
• Budget
• Roof condition

Delivery Advantages

Dealing with a design-build firm also offers advantages when maintaining or repairing PV systems. Because the design-build process is competitively negotiated, there is no obligation to accept the lowest bid when dealing with sub-contractors. Decisions take into consideration all critical factors, including a sub-contractor's reputation for responsiveness, financial stability, familiarity with similarly complex applications, and ability to meet the required deadlines. This is of particular advantage to government agencies and private organizations that plan to hold on to their facilities for 30 years or more, since it allows the building owner to negotiate with a single-source design-builder on the basis of total life-cycle returns on his initial capital investment.

DBS has successfully completed complex roofing projects for many government agencies and institutions, as well as private enterprises. Click here for references and other information on completed projects.