Project Name: Larkspur Commons
Location: Bozeman, MT
Installed: 2016
Installer: Liquid Solar Systems
Bozeman has more than 200 sunny days per year. The Larkspur owners are committed to using renewable energy systems on projects across Montana. Solar saves tenants money on utility bills, reduces operating costs for owners, and lowers our reliance on fossil fuels.
Renewable Energy at Larkspur Commons
Rent in Bozeman has become incredibly expensive as the town continues to grow at a rapid pace. The lack of affordable housing pushes valuable community members out of town to face long commutes or to relocate completely. The good folks at Homeword have been working to solve this problem by developing sustainably built, affordable housing throughout the state. Together with GMD Development, Rotherham Construction, the City of Bozeman and many others, Homeword led the way on the Larkspur Commons project here in Bozeman.
Larkspur Commons has 136 units ranging from 1-3 bedrooms that are rented out to families earning less than 50-60% of the area median income. To help keep utility costs low, the development features a 4,000 square foot solar hot water system comprised of 16 solar thermal systems using SunEarth EC-40 Collectors, each with 216 gallons of storage (the largest in the state of Montana!) and installed by our friends at Liquid Solar Systems. At present, the system is meeting 60% to 75% of annual hot water load.
Project Summary:
Location: Bozeman MT
Application: Solar water heating for affordable housing complex (8 buildings; 150 apartments)
Application: Solar water heating for affordable housing complex (8 buildings; 150 apartments)
Solar Collectors: Sun Earth EC40
System Format: Solar pre-heated water for tenant’s water heaters
Storage Capacity: 16 solar thermal systems; Each with 216 gallons of storage.
System Format: Solar pre-heated water for tenant’s water heaters
Storage Capacity: 16 solar thermal systems; Each with 216 gallons of storage.
Rated Power Output: ·204.5ft2 / 10.76 * 0.7 = 13.30kW (per system)
Yearly Energy Output (kWh): 13.30*4.04*.44*365 = 8,631 kwh (per system)
Metering: Done monthly as readings of BTU metering on solar controls.
Other:
Contact Information:
SunEarth www.sunearthinc.com
Liquid Solar Systems http://liquidsolarsystems.com/