Flat Roof Solar for IT Business in West Springfield
Project Overview
When Northeast IT wanted to take control of rising utility costs, they turned to Valley Solar for a custom flat-roof solar solution. Their goal was clear: lower long-term operating expenses, keep their building’s electrical systems clean and efficient, and set themselves up for future energy independence.
Customer Goals
The Northeast IT team was looking for a solar design that fit their building’s unique structure and long-term needs. They wanted a system that could handle the demands of a flat rubber roof, integrate smoothly with their existing 400A electrical service, and provide predictable energy savings year after year.
Lower Energy Costs
Reduce reliance on Eversource Energy and cut long-term operating expenses.
Durable Flat-Roof System
A mounting solution compatible with rubber roofing and wide truss spacing.
Efficient Electrical Integration
A system design that worked with a 400A main panel and multiple subpanels.
Future-Proof Layout
Flexible conduit paths and stringing choices that leave room for upgrades.
Valley Solar Solution
With a complex roof structure, a large 400A main service panel, and a customer request to preserve a clean ceiling on one side of the building, this project required careful planning and creative design. Valley Solar engineered a 36.4 kW solar array that not only meets the client’s energy goals but also delivers more than 40,000 kWh of clean power every year, offsetting nearly 17 metric tons of CO₂ emissions and saving about $12,900 annually on electricity costs.
Problems Faced
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Flat roof truss spacing — wide spacing and no attic access made wiring challenging.
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Large 400A service panel — limited breaker backfeed capacity required careful line-side tap planning.
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Customer request for a clean ceiling — especially on the east side of the building.
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Ballast mounting needs — required slip sheets and pipe supports for roof protection.
Solutions
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EcoFoot 2+ Ballast Mount System — 10-degree tilt, designed for rubber roofing with proper slip sheets.
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Smart Electrical Design — line-side tap at the 400A MSP, non-fused 100A external disconnect, and internal RGM for REC credits.
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Optimized Stringing — west and east roofs balanced with paralleled strings and a clean 11-panel string, simplifying conduit runs.
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Equipment Integration — Solectria PVI-25TL inverter, Ethernet-enabled data logger, and SolrenView monitoring service.
System Size
36.4 kW DC
Est. Annual Production
40395 kWh
Impact
The finished project delivers reliable clean power for Northeast IT, offsetting a large portion of their annual electricity usage and keeping long-term operating costs predictable.
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Energy Savings — 40,000+ kWh of clean power per year.
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Durability — EcoFoot ballast system protects the rubber roof while providing stable panel mounting.
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Future Flexibility — clean electrical layout with space for future expansion or battery storage.
Est. Yearly Savings
$12,926 ($0.32/kWh)
CO₂ Offset
16.9 metric tons / year
