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Case Studies: Quality Bicycle Products

GENERAL INFORMATION

Project name: Quality Bicycle Products

Location:Bloomington, MN

Web site: www.qbp.com

Architect: LHB

Building size: Footprint: 203,000 sf, new addition 100,000 sf

Building use(s): Bicycle parts wholesale distribution center, call center office spaces, product design and sales, light assembly, and distribution center

Completion date: 2005

Ratings and awards:

  • LEED 2.1 Certification Gold New Construction March 2007
  • Carbon Busters for Business Awarded by Senator Amy Klobuchar

OVERVIEW

The new addition to the Quality Bicycle Products building involved a holistic approach for designing a higher performing building. In order to meet the LEED 2.1 Certification for Gold level status, the team had to take in site considerations as well as connect to the existing structure. In the end the energy efficiency strategies utilized matched with the daylighting strategies for window walls and a rooftop monitor. This allowed for the open floor space plan to have light penetrate deeper into the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The energy used in the building was then supplemented by the installation of a 40kW solar electric array mounted on the rooftop. To date, this solar electric system is among the largest installations in Minnesota. This building is exemplary for high performance building approaches and at the same time an extension of the values that are at the core of the vision at Quality Bicycle Products.

BUILDING PERFORMANCE

Effective energy use solutions:

  • Integrated design for space use and building systems
  • High efficiency HVAC
  • High efficiency tube fluorescent lighting
  • High efficiency appliances
  • Automated motion and light sensors for daylighting and climate control

Orientation: Solar array faces south, windows for daylighting on all four sides

Daylighting strategies:

  • Daylighting in the open office spaces and conference rooms provided by a roof monitor and large window walls
  • Transparent walls in conference rooms centered around monitor
  • High reflectivity paint

Climate control systems: Distributed air, with heat recovery ventilation

Backup heating/power: natural gas, diesel generator, distributed air, with infrared heating near windows and dock doors

RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM INFORMATION

Solar system description and size:

  • The 40 kW solar electric system is mounted on the roof on fixed racks at 35 degrees.
  • The system is grid inter-tied for net-metering, allowing power to be sent directly to the utility grid that is not directly used in the building.
  • 40 kW solar electric system has 200 GE 200watt panels
  • The balance of systems is housed in the distribution center and includes six Sunnyboy SB6000-U (6000 watt) inverters for managing the power from the rooftop panels

Solar system cost:

  • Initial cost: $300,000
  • Final cost after rebates and tax credits: $150,000

Financial incentives:

  • State rebate of $80,000
  • Federal tax credit of 30% of remaining cost

Payback:

  • 30 years for solar electric system
  • 12-15 years for extra cost of sustainable features

Date installation was completed: May 2007

System Design: Innovative Power Systems (IPS)

Engineer: KFI, LHB, Weidt Group

Installer: IPS

Estimated amount of energy delivered by system: 51, 575 kWh per year average, 5.9% of total building use

Actual monitored energy delivered by system: 33,603 kWh from mid-May - November 2007

Percent of building's total energy use provided by solar: 5.9%

MOTIVATION FOR INSTALLATION

"As part of our commitment to a healthier planet, QBP built an earth-friendly warehouse expansion that is certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDTM) Green Building Rating System. As a result, we are reducing the amount of electricity, gas and water QBP uses each year, making us 30 percent more efficient than Minnesota building code requires." www.qbp.com

One of the Core Values of QBP is: "Being Part of Something Special: Together we create something of lasting value. We make a difference in the world." This value helped them decide to go for LEED Gold certification and to incorporate a large solar electric array. www.qbp.com

The owners decided to pursue a sustainable building not only because for them it was the right thing to do, but also there was an economic payback for incorporating sustainable building practices. The extra cost of most of their sustainable features will pay for themselves in 10 to 15 years.

OTHER INFORMATION

Other Sustainable Features:

  • "Solar electric system will prevent 65,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and other noxious chemicals from entering the atmosphere each year. That's the equivalent of planting 4,379 trees in the nature preserve beyond our building." www.qbp.com
  • Innovative wastewater technologies
  • Storm-water retention strategies
  • Drought resistant native prairie grass
  • Sustainable materials for office space furniture and floor coverings

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