Paul Derda Solar Installation by Sun Edison [Pictures]

I was heading to the Paul Derda Rec Center in Broomfield to drop of my youngest for a gymastics class and I was looking at the roof saying to myself that it looked like an excellent roof for solar panels. (I do look at roofs that way!)

When I pulled in to the rec center I noticed a crane lifting boxes to the roof and then I noticed a SunEdison sign - so it was like someone was reading my thoughts.

I thought, what the heck I take some pictures of it while my youngest is inside.

Looks like they are using a ton of Sanyo HIP-195BA19 - hundreds of them. I asked some of the workers from Sun Edison the size of the array, but I am not sure they understood the question well (non-english speaking employees?).

I will write Sun Edison an email and see if they can tell me. But the last time I asked them for info on the Alamosa install they never got back to me.

I am going to guess that Broomfield funded this solar install with a PPA (power purchase agreement). Which I think is smart because these types of world class rec centers waste a ton of power. I think it is funny that you have to plug in a treadmill to get exercise! Can’t people just go outside and run?

I am a little surprised they are not doing solar thermal panels like Boulder’s North Rec Center did, because most of the power is used to heat the pools.

The picture below confuses me. Why on the east facing side of the Rec Center did the architect design the awnings in the wrong inverted up position (the southwest side that is on the left of the picture that are oriented correctly.)  Why waste money on awnings if you are going to orient them the wrong way.

Across the street from the rec center is a house with solar on it.