Commercial Building in NorthWest Crossing Implements Sun Power Solar Panels

NorthWest Crossing and Sunlight Solar Energy announced plans for installation of SunPower solar panels on the newest commercial building in the NorthWest Crossing "Neighborhood Center" located along NW Crossing Drive.

The building has been registered with the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Core and Shell Program, and the new solar system will fulfill the national program requirements for renewable energy.

"West Bend Property Company was looking to enhance the 'green' qualities of our newest commercial building," said David Ford, general manager for NorthWest Crossing. "We had the available roof square footage to install a large system, so we utilized that space the best we could. Finding sustainable ways to develop is just part of our philosophy."

The all-black SunPower panels used in this project are aesthetically quite different than traditional panels, and this project marks the first Bend commercial installation of this particular panel model. The system is estimated to produce 10 KW of solar energy for the building. To date, Sunlight Solar is the only authorized distributor of the SunPower panels in Oregon.

Paul Israel, president of Sunlight Solar, said, "In addition to the aesthetics of the panels are the benefits of the non-penetrating, self-ballasted racking/mounting system on the roof. The 5 degree tilt of the panels in a self-ballasted system on a typically flat, commercial roof is rated to withstand +125 mph (hurricane force) winds. Commercial installations, on an ETO, state and federal incentive basis, are the most financially beneficial for our customers at this point in time."

The NorthWest Crossing Sales Center building on the corner of NW Crossing and Mt Washington Drive also has a solar energy system installed on its roof.