Backup Power and TOU Cost Reduction Solution for Senior Dog Rescue Center
Introduction
In the heart of San Francisco, a remarkable organization is redefining the future for senior dogs once considered “unadoptable.” Muttville, founded in 2007 by Sherri Franklin, a passionate animal advocate and shelter volunteer, has transformed from a home-based rescue operation into a beacon of hope for aging canines across the Bay Area and beyond.
The Muttville Story
As Muttville’s size and impact grew over the years, so did its need for a modern and robust space to house their operations including a veterinary suite, and adoption center. After an extensive search, Muttville found a facility located on Florida Street in the city’s vibrant Mission district.
Once home to a textile mill, the building required extensive structural, mechanical, and electrical renovations to make it suitable to house a modern on-site veterinary suite and new building elevator.
Project Goals for Muttville
- Power Reliability Concerns: To ensure continuous operation of critical facilities during power outages Muttville would need backup power for critical building loads.
- Resource Allocation: With a larger building would come higher energy costs, so finding a way to minimize this would allowing more resources to be directed towards Muttville’s primary goal of animal care.
- Environmental Impact Considerations: As a forward-thinking nonprofit, Muttville wanted to align with environmentally sustainable practices, setting an example for other nonprofits.
The Challenge Muttville Faced
To meet these goals and requirements, Muttville turned to two leading Bay Area contractors, the first of which was Dome Construction, who served as the general contractor for the overall renovation project. The site, comprising three distinct buildings constructed in the early 1990s, presented a complex electrical landscape. The building’s outdated High-Leg service posed a significant hurdle, as the local utility, PG&E, was unwilling to upgrade the system to a new 3-Phase 208V service in order accommodate the integration of standard solar inverter systems. As a result, shortly after construction began PRIME Electric, who specialize in commercial electrical and solar installations, was tapped for the project.
PRIME, recognizing the complexity of the project and lack of solutions on the market, reached out to Sol-Ark in late December 2023 to assess project feasibility and get design assistance. Sol-Ark’s Commercial Product Manager and seasoned NABCEP installer, Liam O’Brien, collaborated closely with PRIME to craft an innovative solution.
After extensive work the team devised a system utilizing two parallel 60K-3P-480V inverters, coupled with step-down transformers to adapt the 480V Delta output of the inverters to the site’s 240V High Leg configuration. This approach not only solved the electrical challenges of the site but allowed for minimal efficiency losses.
"We have been left hanging many times by other companies, so it was great to have Sol-Ark's full support throughout the project."
- 600A utility service
- 75kW of newly installed rooftop solar panels
- 240kWh of advanced Sol-Ark® L3 Series commercial energy storage
One subtle but key feature of the project was the L3 Series’ built-in fire suppression system, integrated within the battery modules. This cutting-edge safety feature was crucial in securing approval from the City of San Francisco Fire Department, given California’s stringent safety standards, which typically limit large indoor battery installations. Having this unique feature allowed for significant cost and permitting time reductions, while ensuring the utmost safety.
System Overview
- Location: 750 Florida St, San Francisco, California
- System Components: 2x Sol-Ark 60K hybrid inverters, 4x L3 HV-60 batteries, AeroCompact Racking
- System Capacity: 120 kWac output with 240 kWh storage
- Solar Array:75 kWdc, roof mounted
- Back Generator: None
- Application: Backup power for critical infrastructure, including refrigeration for medical supplies and building elevator
The Results
After months of construction, the system was commissioned in late July of 2024, shortly before the client moved into the new space. Not only will the new system power the buildings critical loads for over 36 hours in the event of a grid outage but it will generate over 1.2MWh of solar energy per year, helping the customer avoid expensive PG&E TOU and demand charges by utilizing the solar and battery system together.
This project demonstrated to PRIME the flexibility of Sol-Ark’s products, which coupled with their robust product support and innovative features, make them the go-to solution for projects where space is limited, and reliability is essential. Brenden, the project manager, emphasized,
"The biggest thing was flexibility. We were able to pack a big punch in a small space. We have been waiting for this type of product for a long time."
Connect with one of our sales experts to learn how Sol-Ark can fit your needs.