EcoMotion Serves as Owner’s Rep for Cathay Bank Solar Project
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Contact: Virginia Nicols, Corporate & Community Relations, EcoMotion
(949) 450-7153, vnicols@ecomotion.us
Irvine, CA September 18, 2010
EcoMotion Serves as Owner’s Representative for Cathay Bank Solar Project
Custom Solarports Shade Parking Lot, Reflect Unique Company Stance
The Corporate Center of Cathay Bank in El Monte, CA now features a 432.5 kW AC solar electric system mounted atop a custom engineered carport. Its over 2,000 solar panels are projected to result in a 40% decrease in energy costs for the Bank, saving more than $9,000 per month.
The installation has rapidly become a showcase for solar connoisseurs. The shade structures’ profile reflects the shallow V-profile of the bank building’s roof, and the finishing touches – LED lighting, invisible inverters and disconnects, hidden wiring and conduit — make the system unusually clean and attractive. Other building owners and contractors have visited simply to see themselves how all the details of the installation were handled.
After being approached by a number of solar contractors, the Bank selected environmental consulting firm EcoMotion to facilitate the project.
“Each solar contractor had a different idea and different costs,” said Kenny Tang, Vice- President of the Bank. “We turned to EcoMotion to help sort out the RFP process and then to manage the project on our behalf.”
After doing its own analysis of the solar buy mano 10 diazepam online potential of the site, and getting a clear understanding of the Bank’s aesthetic requirements, EcoMotion issued an RFP that resulted in clear and competitive bids. PermaCity Solar was selected to design and install the system. Gensler, the architectural firm that had managed the earlier renovation of the Corporate Center, also joined the design team.
EcoMotion established weekly project meetings and a communications procedure to keep all parties abreast of developments and on schedule.
The solarports shade 300 parked vehicles. During evening hours, the area is illuminated by long-lasting, energy efficient LED lights mounted on the underside of each structure. Electric vehicle charging stations will be added for Bank customers, and the entire lot is anticipated to become a venue for select events, with electricity provided by the solar panels.
“Cathay Bank’s Corporate Center is beautiful, responsive to the environment, and useful to the community,” said EcoMotion President Ted Flanigan. “This is the kind of quality project we dream about.”
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EcoMotion and its principals have assisted with analysis and project management on dozens of solar installations in California and other states. Headquartered in Irvine, CA, the company delivers cost-effective greening solutions to cities, corporations and campuses, applying communications and technical expertise to help clients define and achieve their goals.