A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
RFP #11-0008
AGENT: Donald Schwoerer at (608) 262-2525 / FAX: (608) 265-8721
E MAIL: DonaldSchwoerer@housing.wisc.edu
If NO BID (check here)
and return.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – Madison
DIVISION OF UNIVERSITY HOUSING
PHOTOVOLTAIC ELECTRICAL GENERATING SYSTEM (INSTALLED)
Issued by:
STATE OF WISCONSIN
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON
PURCHASING SERVICES
AMENDMENT #1: August 12, 2010
NO PUBLIC OPENING
Proposals must be submitted by
August 24, 2010 - No later than 2:00 p.m. CDT
Amendment #1 issued to make additions and changes to Attachment A (Pages 13, 14 and 15)
based on the site visit on 8/12/10.
If this amendment is not returned, it shall be assumed your original proposal meets all conditions
of the amendment.
All other terms and conditions remain the same. Please revise and submit your proposal
accordingly.
COMPANY NAME: _________________________________________________________________________________________________
PURCHASING SERVICES
University of Wisconsin-Madison  21 N Park St, Suite 6101 Madison, WI 53715-1218
608/262-0059  (Fax) 608/262-4467  www.bussvc.wisc.edu  bids@bussvc.wisc.edu
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
MADISON, WISCONSIN 53715-1218
AMENDMENT #1
PROPOSAL NO.: 11-0008
PAGE 13 OF 53
ATTACHMENT A- SPECIFICATIONS
1.
PURCHASING PLANS
The University of Wisconsin – Madison, Division of University Housing is seeking to purchase the materials and installation
of a Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Solar Electrical Generation System to be installed at Cole Residence Hall. This RFP covers all
materials, installation labor, software or web platform, and commissioning of the system to the point of being brought on line.
2.
CURRENT ENVIRONMENT
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public Research University with a total enrollment of over 41,000. In addition, the
campus employs over 16,625 faculty and staff. The Division of University Housing has over 400 employees and over 9000
residents.
University Housing is sponsor to several Residence Hall Learning Communities, which provide learning opportunities in
various disciplines in concert with fellow residents in specific residence halls. A new Residence Hall Learning Community,
GreenHouse, will begin in fall, 2010, in Cole Residence Hall. The purpose of this learning community is to provide
educational outreach in the overall area of sustainable living.
An important component of a sustainable living environment includes examples of renewable energy, which is not derived
from fossil fuels. University Housing has committed to provide a photovoltaic solar (PV) electrical generating system to
provide a portion of the electrical energy requirements serving the residents of the GreenHouse Learning Community.
A Solar Electric Site Assessment Report (see attachment H) has been prepared in 2010 by a certified site assessor, which
was funded through a grant by Wisconsin Focus on Energy. The report states that the roof (flat roof) has excellent exposure
to provide unshaded sunlight to a substantial quantity of photovoltaic panels. Note; the estimated costs listed in this
report are assumptions used only for calculations to determine system economics. They are not intended to be
used as a basis for determining the real cost of the system.
3.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Project to include PV panels, racking, conduit and wiring to basement, inverter, interconnection to electrical service, and
monitoring hardware and software to provide generating and usage data online.
The system shall consist of modules with a rated capacity of 7 (kW dc) and produce 7kw of electricity during peak sunlight.
Individual modules shall be tested prior to installation. Record open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current for each panel.
Submit these test results to the University. Panels shall be mounted to structurally and visually complement the existing roof,
or on suitable mounting structure and according to all local codes and standards.
No module will generate less than 90% of its specified minimum power when purchased.
Modules shall have weatherproof junction boxes with knockouts. All boxes shall be accessible and compatible with liquidtight non-metallic conduit connectors.
The inverter shall be capable of parallel operation with the existing AC power. The inverter shall synchronize its output
waveform with that of the utility. The inverter shall automatically disconnect from the distribution system if the utility power is
interrupted.
The inverter shall be in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NEC), "listed" to Underwriters
Laboratory 1741 specifically for utility grid interconnection of PV arrays. Inverter shall have at a minimum the following
features:
a.
UL/ETL Listed.
b.
Peak efficiency of 96% or higher.
c.
Inverter output wave shall be sine wave (unmodified).
d.
Inverter shall have operational indicators of performance and remote monitoring accessories.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
MADISON, WISCONSIN 53715-1218
e.
AMENDMENT #1
PROPOSAL NO.: 11-0008
PAGE 14 OF 53
Upon loss of utility power, control circuitry, in addition to that already present within the inverter, must automatically
disconnect the inverter output circuits from the switchboard.
Solar electric modules and inverters must be on California’s list of eligible equipment
(gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/equipment/index.html).
The system shall have array ground-fault protection devices included as part of the inverter packages as required by the
NEC 690-5.
Circuit breaker and switches shall be listed and DC rated for load control. Disconnects and overcurrent devices shall be
mounted in approved boxes, enclosures, or panelboards. Metal enclosures/boxes shall be bonded to the grounding
conductor.
This system must include a web interfaced metering device connected to an IP address which will enable residents and
other interested persons to access total electrical generation provided by the Photovoltaic System, as well as overall
electrical usage in Cole Residence Hall.
The array of photovoltaic modules could be secured to the concrete roof deck, or installed with a ballast racking system if
the anchors required boring all the way through the deck. The array of photovoltaic modules to be installed with a
ballast racking system. The conduit would be mounted on an external wall of the building to carry the conductors to the
basement from the fourth floor roof. The inverters would be mounted in the basement. The electrical service is located in the
basement, where the solar system would tie in to the building electrical service.
The PV array, including modules, hardware, support structure, foundation, and attachments shall be structurally designed to
withstand wind loads of 100 miles per hour, minimum, and comply with all existing local and national codes.
Array mounting hardware supplied by the contractor shall be compatible with the site considerations and environment.
Galvanic corrosion shall be avoided.
All of the components must be new.
Spacing between individual modules shall be kept to a minimum to maximize utilization of the surrounding area. As much
as possible, all mechanical hardware, conduit, junction boxes, and other equipment shall be concealed beneath and/or
behind the array.
The array layout shall be consistent with the ordering (and labeling) of source circuits in the array combiner boxes. Access
for array troubleshooting and maintenance shall be provided.
The mounting system shall have a fixed tilt and orientation that maximizes annual energy production.
PVES shall not interfere with roof drains, expansion joints, air intakes, existing electrical and mechanical equipment, and
planned areas for future installation of equipment.
The PVES shall be connected to the utility electric grid through a utility-interactive inverter. The Contractor shall provide a
disconnect (acceptable to the local utility) for the utility company to access at any time.
The array, PV modules and all other equipment installed on roof shall not exceed the limitation of the roof structure of the
building.
All major system components must have at minimum a one-year warranty.
PV modules shall have 20 year limited warranty guarantying continued power of at least 80% of guaranteed minimum power
for at least twenty (20) years.
The system must include at a minimum a two-year installation warranty that covers any defects in the workmanship of the
installation at no charge to the University. The warranty must be provided by the market provider that installs the solar
electric system.
Installation and equipment shall comply with all applicable building and electrical codes as designated by the authority
having jurisdiction, including the National Electrical Code. All products that are listed, tested, identified, or labeled by UL,
FM, ETL, or other National Recognized Testing Laboratory shall be used when available.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
MADISON, WISCONSIN 53715-1218
AMENDMENT #1
PROPOSAL NO.: 11-0008
PAGE 15 OF 53
The awarded contractor must meet all requirements of the Focus on Energy incentive program, including but not
limited to preparing and submitting all necessary applications, equipment invoices, system description, installation and
equipment warranty, and forms required by Focus on Energy for incentives, interconnection permits to utility providers, and
any other permit applications which are required.
The entire system to be installed and in operation acceptably no later than 12/15/2010.
Physical installation must be by a licensed electrician.
Conduit to be attached to roof with unistrut docks.
System to be designed to 7kw dc.
Prevailing wage does not apply.
4.
TECHNICAL (1200 points)
4.1 Describe your system in detail to include but not limited to:
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.1.3
4.1.4
Mounting system to include flashing details of all roof penetrations
Diagrams indicating overall layout and location of system
Specify axis tilt proposed
Describe the DC voltage required for the inverter(s), and how the proposed PV arrays will operate
within the Maximum Power Point (MPP) of the inverter at different cell temperatures using Madison,
WI weather data.
4.2 Provide an overview of your firm’s experience in the installation, commissioning and operation of photovoltaic
PV solar electrical generating systems in commercial or multi-tenant applications
4.3 Describe products that you would provide to be used in measuring electrical production of the PV system, and
their ability to interconnect to the internet to be used as a reference tool for residents and interested persons.
Submit a sample screen shot.
4.4 Describe the components that you would recommend for use in this project, including specifications that state the
overall performance aspects of the products.
4.5 Describe your system’s ability to accommodate additional photovoltaic system capacity in the future if/when
funding would be available to expand the system.
4.6 Provide submittals for all major system components and manufacturer’s complete technical literature for the
proposed panel, including net peak capacity.
4.7 Describe any certifications and licenses held which pertain to the installation, maintenance, and repair of the PV
solar generating systems. At a minimum the system must be installed by a contractor on the Focus on Energy
Full Service Solar Electric Installation Firms list or by an individual who has met the experience and training
criteria of the Solar Electric Full Service Policy (focusonenergy.com/REinstallers).
5.
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE (750 points)
5.1 Describe the specifications of the system in terms of total maximum output, wattage, and estimated electrical
output in KW for a one year period. Determine the overall offset of traditional electrical consumption provided by
the system.
5.2 Describe the projected lifespan of all major components of the PV system, including the solar panel array and
inverter.
5.3 Describe the exact amount of physical space that will be required for the PV array, as well as the components
which will be installed in the basement adjacent to the electrical service panels.
5.4 Describe the process and exact routing of conduit along the exterior portions of the building. Provide detailed
information regarding sealing of penetrations where conduit will pass into the building envelope through exterior
walls.
5.5 Is the roof structure of the building adequate to support the total weight of the proposed equipment?