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© Joe Bowman
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© Joe Bowman
© Joe Bowman
© Michelle Gransee-Bowman
© Innovative Power Systems
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reARCH Case Studies
Quality Bicycle Products (QBP)
General Information
Project Name:
Quality Bicycle Products - New Distribution Center
Location:
6400 West 105th Street, Bloomington, MN
Website:
www.qbp.com
Architect:
LHB
Building Size:
Footprint: 203,000 sq. ft.; New Addition: 100,000
sq. ft.
Building Use:
Bicycle parts wholesale distribution center, call center office
spaces, product design and sales, and light assembly
Date of Completion:
Early 2005
Ratings and Awards:
| • |
LEED 2.1 Certification Gold
New Construction, March 2007 |
| • |
Carbon Busters for Business awarded by Senator
Amy Klobuchar, September 2007 |
Overview
The new addition to the Quality Bicycle Products
(QBP) 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 40 kW 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 QBP.
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, 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 200-watt
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/Donations:
| • |
State rebate: $80,000 |
| • |
Federal tax credit: 30% of remaining
cost |
Payback:
| • |
30 years for solar electric
system |
| • |
12–15 years for extra cost of sustainable
features |
Date of Installation
Completion: May 2007
System Designer:
Innovative Power
Systems (IPS)
System Engineer:
Karges-Faulconbridge,
Inc. (KFI), LHB,
The Weidt Group
System Installer:
Innovative Power
Systems (IPS)
Estimated Amount
of Energy Delivered by System: 51,575 kWh per year average
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%
Tools Utilized
Modeling Software:
The Weidt Group utilized DOE 2.1E for modeling building strategies
and the bundle reports as a partnership with the Energy Design Assistance
program by Xcel Energy.
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 (LEED) 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." |
| • |
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. |
| • |
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 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." |
| • |
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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