Inovateus Solar Completes Rooftop Solar Array for Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium
Project Is the Largest Solar Installation on any Cultural Institution in the State of Illinois
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Inovateus Solar LLC installed the solar systems at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium to launch the first phase of the institution’s clean-energy initiative. The solar installer was an integral part of an energy construction project headed by Schneider Electric. The project consisted of the rooftop installation of 913 photovoltaic solar panels on the aquarium’s marine mammal pavilion. The 265-kilowatt project is the largest solar installation on any cultural institution in the state of Illinois.
Shedd worked with public and private energy leaders to advance the building’s energy management system, bringing Shedd closer to achieving its long-term goal of saving close to 10 million kilowatt hours annually — enough to power a town of 750 households.
Inovateus Solar was commissioned to provide its expertise in September 2013. “We were excited when Schneider Electric brought us in as the solar general contractor for this project,” said T.J. Kanczuzewski, Inovateus Solar president. “We used Schneider Electric components for the installation, such as combiner boxes and inverters. We sourced out all solar panels, and handled engineering, project management, and integration.”
Kanczuzewski said that J. Ranck was the electrical contractor for the project. Schletter provided the racking systems used for solar panels in conjunction with its Anchor Product line.
“Schneider chose Inovateus Solar for their proven track record of quality and responsiveness,” said Dean Meyer, Schneider Electric executive vice president. “A project like Shedd had to be installed quickly due to schedule requirements and with attention to detail due to permitting and final appearance on a historic Chicago landmark.”
The new solar energy system will power life-support equipment to the aquarium’s Great Lakes gallery. In addition to reducing costs and enhancing the building’s energy reserve and life support, the system supports Shedd’s Great Lakes initiative to protect and preserve the lakes by reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
“Renewable energy is obviously tied very closely to environmental awareness,” said Kanczuzewski. “That’s why it’s fitting that this renewable energy project is directly connected to the Great Lakes exhibit.”
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“Protecting and preserving the living world is at the heart of Shedd Aquarium and we understand that conservation and sustainability begin at home in the aquarium,” said Ted A. Beattie, Shedd president and CEO.
“The people at Shedd Aquarium really care about the environment and clean energy,” said Kanczuzewski. “Their goal is to be the greenest aquarium out there, and they are well on their way with the completion of this project.”
For more information, visit http://inovateussolar.com.
Publication date: 3/24/2014
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