Umbrella Energy

Designing Solar for Net-Zero

Challenge

Umbrella Energy is Niagara company dedicated to renewable energy education and utilization. They supply Ontario companies with content 230 watt solar panels, sustainable energy inverters and trackers to FIT and MicroFIT installers. Umbrella Energy also delivers solar energy related consulting. With net metering in view, Umbrella Energy seeks to develop net-zero facilities in the Niagara Region.

Solution

The objective of the project was to design a photovoltaic array with enough capacity to allow three publicly owned facilities in Niagara Falls (Chippawa arena, library and fire hall) to consume as much electrical energy as they generate. The team conducted energy audits for each facility; determined the amount of generation required to reach net-zero status; and designed the PV array based specification and financial analysis for the project.