Roland's Electric, Inc. - Article - Solar and LED upgrade gives 70% reduction in our electric use and expense

Roland’s Electric, Inc. has presented exciting hard data that shows how they dramatically slashed their own existing commercial building’s energy usage and expense by more than 70% with an energy efficiency installation, combining solar and newly emerged LED lighting technology.  The impressive results can be easily duplicated in any existing commercial building or applied to new construction.  

Electricity consumption at Roland’s headquarters is no different than you will find at other commercial office, retail, and industrial buildings.  Lighting, computers, servers, monitors, printers, copiers, fax machines, appliances, equipment, exterior lighting, and air-conditioning are in constant high-use for most of the day.  In nearly every situation, the depth of the savings realized by an energy efficiency upgrade can be significant – case in point:   Roland’s own monthly average electric bill dropped from $2025 down to $523 per month, slashing their greenhouse gas emission in the process.  Hospitals, municipalities, restaurants, schools, and manufacturers may benefit even more.  

Averaging Roland’s Electric historical monthly data reveals a solid 77.9% monthly reduction in Kilowatt Hours/KWH, a 73.6% monthly reduction in Kilowatt Demand Factor/KD, and a 74.2% reduction in monthly electric expenses. 

The decision to retrofit Roland’s Electric corporate headquarters over the winter months was an easy one for the large electrical contractor located in Deer Park, NY.  Given their expertise and knowledge in the field, LEED accreditation, and the newly emerged technological advances in LED lighting, the time was right to take advantage of the commercial rebates and tax incentives to offset a large portion of the cost while they are still available.   Roland’s Electric started their two phase conversion after conducting a Comprehensive Energy Audit, one of the many services which they provide.  Each phase was completed in a few days.

CASE STUDY:  Roland’s Electric occupies a 1970’s single story flat roof 22,000 square foot brick building in an older industrial area - 18,000 sq ft warehouse and 4,000 sq ft office space with standard 2’ and 4’ fluorescent ballast lighting fixtures in the drop ceilings, typical of what you would find in any commercial building.   

Phase 1:  SOLAR:   Roland’s Electric’s Design & Build team planned 19.1KW rooftop installation consisting of 78 solar photovoltaic (PV) 245 watt modules on a southern exposure, with about a 1170 sq ft footprint. (Note:  you can go larger for a bigger offset but the rebates may not apply or be proportional – Roland’s can guide and assist with rebates).  Installation by their own Electricians took one week to complete in December 2010 causing no disruption to their daily operation. Results were immediate, dropping the monthly bills more than 61% from an average of $2025/month down to $757-$781/month.   

Phase 2:  LED LIGHTING:  After three years of solar success, Roland’s Electric began the second half of the Design & Build team’s plan, earlier in 2014.  They replaced 54 standard 2x2’ and 49 standard 2x4’ fluorescent overhead fixtures in offices, conference rooms, hallways, and common areas with new high efficiency LED fixtures.  (Note:  the highest efficiency benefits require complete fixture replacement).  Over a dozen occupancy sensors were installed in offices and a few low traffic areas to shut off lights when unoccupied, and the warehouse received 21 LED high bay fixtures.

New advances in LED lighting technology allowed the lighting conversion to boost the already considerable energy savings of the solar PV system.   Roland’s Electric has averaged an additional 37% reduction in KWH, 32% less KWD, and 32% lower electric expense.  

The solar panels came through Hurricane Sandy completely intact and operational due to expert installation and the custom aluminum frame they constructed - at a precise 30° angle for maximum solar benefit for their location.  Proper techniques for connections and mounting are critical to withstand the force of winds, trees, and flying debris, and should always be done by an experienced professional.

Roland’s Electric Inc. is a full service electrical contractor for a wide array of industrial, commercial, municipal, institutional, and residential customers located in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island, NY.  Established in 1953, Roland’s Electric Inc. has grown from a modest 300 square foot storefront to one of Long Island’s largest and most respected electrical contractors, employing approximately 50 to 100 Electricians and 23 management/office personnel.

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