Full Spectrum Solar
1240 E. Washington Ave
Madison, WI 53703
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Full Spectrum Solar at 1240 E. Washington Avenue moved in early 2011 after working with Glueck Architects to redesign the former auto body shop into a zero-energy-cost solar contractor office and warehouse space.
Full Spectrum Solar owners sought ENERGY STAR certification in 2012 in order to quantify building improvements and user energy conservation. With an ENERGY STAR score of 100, the building uses less energy per square foot than more than 99 percent of comparable buildings in the country, and the least of the 39 other ENERGY STAR-certified buildings in Madison as of February 2013.
The most visible building features are the 2.6 kW solar awning and 10 kW rooftop solar array, which produce about 60% more electricity than is used. Payments for this surplus electricity cover natural gas costs, and the company still receives a refund check from the utility at the end of each year. The rooftop solar system features power optimizers that allow each one of the 42 modules to produce to their maximum capability, even if other modules are shaded. ENERGY STAR certification, however, does not take into account energy production from solar energy systems. The building achieved the ENERGY STAR by reducing energy use through meticulous redesign of the building envelope and mechanical systems, careful attention to installation details, and thoughtful use of the building's resources, which are described below.
The remodeling project involved demolition of internal structures and walls, which had been water damaged, and a complete rebuild of the eastern corner of the building as a dedicated open office area and conference room/kitchenette. The remodel focused on incorporating daylighting, reducing outdoor lighting electricity use, constructing well-insulated walls and ceilings, and installing efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. Other energy and sustainability issues addressed include reducing the energy use of our vehicle fleet, encouraging owners and employees to choose lower-energy transportation, and reducing rainwater run-off.
Daylighting and outdoor lighting
The northeast and southwest orientation of the building allows for good daylighting, which Full Spectrum Solar utilizes with new high performance windows, with spectrally selective coatings tuned to orientation. The northeast side of the building has clerestory windows, just below the roofline, that provide adequate daylighting. The solar awning provides shade from the high summer sun. Combined with window shades, excessive heat gain is controlled during the cooling season.
Motion-activated sensors were installed for all external security lighting. The building contracted with Wisconsin Sign to build a sign with LED lighting that operates on about one-eighth of the electricity of that of a standard high-output fluorescent backlit sign.
Insulated walls and ceilings
Internal wood framing was completed by Christensen Construction of Madison, with Madison's Resourceful Handyman providing installation of dense-pack cellulose insulation in the walls and ceiling, as well as consultation on high-performance building construction. Air sealing and bridging losses were mitigated by careful application of spray foam around windows, doors, and outlet boxes.
Efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
Full Spectrum Solar electricians, plumbers and technicians provided all mechanical, electrical, and data work throughout the office space. A high-efficiency boiler system with radiant in-floor heating was installed in the office area and salvaged cast-iron radiators used in the warehouse. The boiler has integrated domestic water heating for the kitchen and bathrooms. The radiant heating loops and radiators were sized to allow for operation at low boiler water temperatures, which the boiler adjusts based on outside temperatures (The colder it is outside, the hotter the boiler water is heated). The maximum boiler water temperature is 125 degrees, when the outdoor temperature is -10 degrees F. Using the lowest boiler water temperatures possible improves the thermal efficiency of the system, and will allow a future solar water heating system to be easily integrated. Domestic hot water is circulated to the bathroom and kitchen fixtures on demand, when a push button or motion sensor is activated. We have a whole-office ventilation fan for summer cooling on nights when the temperature drops a few degrees below the office temperature. This reduces the length of time we operate the SEER 21 ductless air conditioning system. The conference room is zoned separately from the rest of the office, and is only cooled when being used for meetings.
Communications:
We were honored with a Dane County 2011 Small Business Award. Full Spectrum Solar is a 2012 MPower Champion through Sustain Dane.
We have been featured in Madison's In Business magazine twice and featured several times in the Capital Times for our commitment to sustainable business practices.
Testimonial:
We are proud to have our building recognized with ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR certification reflects the hard work all of us at Full Spectrum Solar have put into making our operation as energy-efficient as possible. -- Burke O'Neal, Director, Full Spectrum Solar
Please note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by Full Spectrum Solar or a representative of this facility. Other building information was verified and submitted to EPA at the time of application. Building energy performance, operating characteristics, and ownership/management may be subject to change over time.
Building Owner:*
Full Spectrum Solar
Property Manager:*
Full Spectrum Solar
Year(s) Labeled (Rating):
2013 (100)
Facility Type: Non-Refrigerated Warehouse
Total Floorspace: 6875 sf
Year Constructed: 1979
Contract Type: Multiple Contractor Contracts
Financing Type: Internal Capital
Technologies Used:
| Stage 1-Recommissioning |
| Stage 2-Lighting |
| Stage 3-Load Reductions |
| Stage 4-Fan Systems |
| Stage 5-Heating and Cooling Plant |
| Other Technologies/Strategies |