Morasch Quality Meats
Elemental Energy
Racking System: GridFlex 5
Structure Type: Large Commercial
Location: Portland, Oregon
Completed: January 2022
Challenge
To provide as much energy as possible for a family-owned food processor, Morasch Meats. Food processing is an industry with high energy costs, spending $85 to $100K each month on utility power. The project also required a low weight distribution per square foot and minimal attachment count, yet needed to be robust enough for elevated wind exposures and to fulfill all code requirements on the existing structure.
Solution
Using GRIDFLEX™ 5, Unirac’s team worked closely with Elemental Energy, a top-rated Portland based solar installer, on almost all aspects of the installation, from design, engineering, and code approvals to final installation and beyond. Unirac’s GRIDFLEX™ 5 system was chosen to minimize attachments and construction expenses. Collaboration and communication with Unirac was key throughout the process.
Implementation
The project evolved from an initial design incorporating a grid-type ballasted solution, allowing for a modular component. As a result, the project grew from 450 kW to 750 kW and eventually to a full megawatt. Chris Berg, Commercial Solutions Manager, said, “GRIDFLEX™ 5 allowed that flexibility in the initial design and moving forward throughout the process.”
The jurisdiction was challenging for ballasted solar approvals due to historical factors and weather concerns in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, the building was a risk category three building with a C wind exposure category, requiring modifications to the ballasting system. Unirac’s team was critical in moving this process forward and now has several installations in the Portland area with the GRIDFLEX™” 5 system. “I think it was very beneficial that we had the capabilities to do this in-house; otherwise, it could have taken months and months, which would have ultimately delayed the project quite a bit,” said Mark Davis, Territory Sales Manager.
Aside from the notable success of a complex installation, the Morasch Meats project was the first to be installed in the Portland area. It was also the first privately owned single-rooftop array in the region larger than one megawatt. In addition, Elemental Energy, an early adopter of the GRIDFLEX™” 5 system, was the first company in Portland to use it on a significant installation design.
The straightforward GRID FLEX” 5 system helped the installer to develop more efficient installation methods and applications. The 1.2-megawatt system uses only 18 roof penetrations. During installation, the Elemental Energy teams pre-fabricated on the ground to minimize roof and crane times, lowering costs and working more efficiently.
One of Unirac’s Installation Service Specialists, Reggie Espitia, came to train the installers on-site and provided support at every step in a generous feedback loop to produce a model project.
I LOVE GRIDFLEX FOR THE EFFICIENCY. THE OTHER THING I VALUE IS SEEING HOW A PARTNERSHIP CAN HELP, OTHER THAN THE ACTUAL NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE SYSTEM. WITH THE BACKUP THAT UNIRAC HAS ON THE ENGINEERING SIDE, AND ON THE SALES SIDE – IT HAS BEEN NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PERMIT BALLASTED SYSTEMS IN THE CITY OF PORTLAND. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT PUSHBACK TO BALLASTED SYSTEMS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. WE WILL HAVE TWO WITH GRIDFLEX IN JUST A FEW WEEKS AND THAT IS A HUGE FEAT. I CONSIDER THAT PARTNERSHIP A HUGE BOON FOR SOLAR IN THE CITY OF PORTLAND.
Katie Martin I Construction Manager at Elemental Energy
Benefit
The customer, Morasch Meats, saved on costs and earned the freedom to focus on innovations in their business without concern for energy costs. The existing structure could be used with minimal roof penetrations. The installer used a flexible, modular system that efficiently moved the installation process from start to finish. Katie Martin, the Construction Manager at Elemental who directed the project, said, “It was an incredible feat by the Unirac team to support this install, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.”
