FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
Schertz – San Antonio-based real estate developer SPV Ventures, LLC announced today, in conjunction with Northeast OB/GYN Associates, PLLC, the planned installation of the first large-scale, private, commercial installation of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar panels in the Schertz/Cibolo/Universal area. The Photovoltaic Laminates will be installed on the south-facing roof of NE OB/GYN’s new 10,000 SF patient facility at Schertz Parkway Professional Plaza, 5000 Schertz Parkway in Schertz, TX. The solar array, which is laminated to a standing seam metal roof system, is sized at 12.24 kW and will generate approximately 19,785 kWh A.C. of electricity in the 1st year of operation, and is estimated to offset 15% of the facility’s annual electricity costs. According to David W. Mooney, Jr., AIA, president of SEV, Inc., the firm responsible for the design and installation for NE OB/GYN, “there is an estimated 6-7 year payback to the client [NE OB/GYN] based on the net costs. Offsets in costs include a generous rebate from San Antonio’s CPS Energy, a tax credit available from the federal government, as well as local Texas tax incentives and accelerated depreciation. These offsets, combined with NE OB/GYN’s commitment towards ‘green’ technologies, makes this installation an exciting addition to Schertz and its environs.”
Jeff Jewell, director of Economic Development at the City of Schertz, said, “The City of Schertz has been a strong advocate for NE OB/GYN to join our community, and we are excited to have them join the solar community as well with this installation of the first commercial solar project in our city. This is a great step forward for the City and our business community. Hopefully, many more businesses will follow NE OB/GYN’s example as renewable energy technologies become more cost competitive with traditional generation methods.”
According to Lanny Sinkin, Executive Director of Solar San Antonio, an advocacy group dedicated towards bringing solar technologies and projects to San Antonio and the surrounding areas, “BIPV panels, while becoming more prevalent in areas outside of Texas, are considered cutting edge in the Schertz and San Antonio area, and we at Solar San Antonio welcome the developer’s and the tenant’s commitment to clean, solar energy and innovative thinking.”
Northeast OB/GYN Associates are women’s health care specialists and provide all general services Obstetrics and Gynecology to patients throughout the San Antonio metro area. Dr. Kent Sadler, Medical Director and CEO of Northeast OB/GYN Associates, confirmed the group’s commitment to new, energy efficient technologies adding, “We are in practice to serve our patients and our communities. Serving our communities includes careful stewardship of our environment, as well as efforts to improve our efficiency and reducing our costs, each which will benefit patients, folks in Schertz and our doctor/members.”
According to Jesse Hellums, President of SPV Ventures, the developer of the Schertz Parkway Professional Plaza project, “We are also extremely pleased to have solar power come to our project, and particularly in a design which is unobtrusive and respectful to our individual building design and the overall site.”
The “Made in USA” BIPV system is manufactured by United Solar Ovonic LLC, based Rochester Hills, MI, and is sold through their Texas authorized distributor, Whirlwind Solar, a division of Whirlwind Steel Buildings, Inc. in Houston. The panels are planned for installation in August by Whirlwind’s local, authorized installer, and, when completed, will be comprised of approximately 90 individual panels, each 16” wide and 18’ long, and approximately ¼” thick. The solar laminate system is a “penetration free system” which is another reason why the SEV design team selected to use the BIPV technology.
Northeast OB/GYN Associate’s solar array has the ability to be a “Grid Tied” system which means that if the solar array is creating more electricity than NE OB/GYN is using, clean generated electricity can be put back on the grid.
SPV Ventures, LLC, is a privately owned limited liability company based in San Antonio and has its main offices at 16161 College Oak, S. 100, San Antonio, 78249. Contact Carey G. Birmingham, managing director, for more information at 210-262-8490 or coinvestments@satx.rr.com.
SEV, Inc. is a New York base solar energy design and installation company with a branch office in San Antonio, TX. Contact David W. Mooney, Jr., AIA at 914-967-0960 or dmooney@sevsolar.com