Unirac Selected by Westwood Professional Services for 600kW Minneapolis Convention Center Solar Project

Unirac, Inc., North America’s leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, today announced that it was selected by Westwood Professional Services (Westwood) to supply an ISYS Roof Mount (IRM) custom racking solution for the recently completed 600kw solar array atop the Minneapolis Convention Center. The array consists of 2,613 PV modules that produce approximately 750 MWh of electricity per year. This system is one of the largest PV solar installations in the upper Midwest, as well as one of the largest commercial rooftop systems to feature a 30-degree tilt.

Unirac, Inc., North America's leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems, was selected by Westwood Professional Services (Westwood) to supply an ISYS Roof Mount (IRM) custom racking solution for the recently completed 600kw solar array atop the Minneapolis Convention Center. The array consists of 2,613 PV modules that produce approximately 750 MWh of electricity per year. (Photo: Business Wire)

During the selection process, Westwood sought out a mounting solution that not only met the parameters for the project, but also had a superlative engineering support team behind it. “We selected Unirac for this project based upon their willingness to work within the design specifications of the project and their ability to deliver a first-class product,” says Nathan Franzen, Director of Solar Energy with Westwood.

The Minneapolis Convention Center site’s northern latitude required a mounting solution that could offer an acute angle tilt in order to best capture solar gain. An irregular rooftop design with slopes in multiple directions also required the utilization of adjustable feet to ensure an array in plane or level with the roof. Additionally, the location presented harsh climactic elements such as snow drifts up to eight feet high and loads of more than 100 pounds per square foot. These challenges were met by a customized IRM configured to a 30-degree tilt to optimize solar capture and output. IRM’s extreme flexibility — allowing for the adjustment of North South beams and the supports beneath those beams — was critical for load support, and was able to respond to sub-arrays in one section that required a 45-degree rotation to the building in order to capture the most solar gain. IRM’s best-in-class functionality, specifically its superior strength-to-weight ratio, was leveraged to ensure project success.

The IRM system was able to support the project’s unique requirements by providing enhanced structural integrity without incurring unnecessary costs. In addition, IRM’s ability to satisfy 90-120 mph basic wind speeds offered extra reassurance on a site at 70 feet above ground.

“ISYS Roof Mount’s unparalleled flexibility proved to be ideal for this site and project, and Unirac’s deep expertise in resolving design complexities was also integral to this project’s success,” said Unirac’s president and CEO, Doug May. “In addition, our team provided a seamless installation that adhered to a strict timeline. We are confident that Westwood will continue to be a key partner for Unirac in the renewable energy sector, and we value working with a company equally dedicated to quality and service.”

About Unirac

Unirac, a Hilti company, is North America’s leading provider of infrastructure for solar power systems. Recognized as an industry innovator on both the product and process side, Unirac is one of the fastest growing companies in the solar industry. Unirac has achieved ISO 9001 certification, and its industrial-grade solar mount solutions meet ‘Made in America,’ ‘Buy American,’ ARRA and Ontario Power Authority FIT and microFIT criteria. For more information about Unirac, please visit www.unirac.com.

About Westwood

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is a multi-disciplinary consulting firm providing complete and sustainable solutions to land and energy development clients nationwide. Westwood’s services include land surveying, aerial mapping, GIS, civil engineering, renewables design and engineering, siting and land rights, planning, environmental, cultural resources, landscape architecture, transportation engineering, visualization, construction management and NPDES & SWPPP compliance. Westwood was established in 1972 and has multiple U.S. offices.

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