Questions and Answers to the Fox Island Electric Cooperative Renewable Energy RFP will be posted here.  Last updated 11/14/2003

1) Q. When you specified "Nominal  DC solar panel wattages" are we dealing
with the solar panel's "LTC" (lab test rating) or are we using the real
"PTC" (field  test rating) of the solar panel's rating?
    

    A. Nominal DC solar panel wattage is to use the panel's rating at STC.  We are using the term nominal to allow the bidders to design to as close as practical to the specified nominal wattage using their preferred photovoltaic module.  For example, suppose the specifications call for a 48 volt DC design, and a 1,000 watt nominal system.  Suppose the bidder has very competitive pricing on a 120 watt module, and can design and bid a system that uses two parallel strings of four 120 watt modules, yielding a 960 watt system. We would consider the bid meeting the nominal 1,000 watt design specification.

2) Q. The battery back up inverters will be grid connected and will
be installed in a "Net Metered" fashion. This means that when the battery
bank is fully charged then the excess power will be fed back into the grid.

    A. All grid interconnected battery back up designs will have net metering capability, and will feed excess power back into the grid once the battery bank is full.

3) Q. These inverters will be a "sine wave" inverter,  a Trace Xantrex SW
series inverter for example, one that has multiple steps to simulate the AC
wave form that we see from the grid, not to be confused with a step wave
inverter.

    A. A multi-step inverter using 34 to 52 steps per cycle to simulate a sine wave is acceptable. Square wave, or modified square wave inverters using a lower number of steps are not.

4)  Q.  What is the site visit schedule?

     A.  The following is our anticipated schedule.  Time will be short, so please remember to bring a lunch.

FIEC Renewable Energy System Site Tour Schedule

Rockland ferry to North Haven: 9:30 to 10:45

North Haven School: 11 am to 11:45

FIEC substation: 12:15 to 12:45

FIEC repeater station: 12:50 to 1:00

Medical: 1:15 to 1:45

Elder Care: 1:50 to 2:50

Vinalhaven School: 3:00 to 3:25

FIEC Service Building: 3:35 to 3: 55

Land Trust: 4:00 to 4:15

Back to ferry parking lot: 4:20

Vinalhaven to Rockland ferry: 4:30 to 5:45

5) Q. Are there any changes or clarifications to the RFP based upon the site walk through?

    A. Yes, there are several and they are listed below:  

I. Is there an alternate location for the inverter and charge controller for the North Haven School? 

We are directing bidders to continue to bid the project assuming that the location specified during the walk through will be the location of the inverter and charge controller.  The door to the room will have to be moved to the opposite side of the frame, and the existing lock will have to be replaced.  A change order will be issued if this is not possible.

II.  The FIEC Service Building solar electric panels will be located on the roof and not the ground.  FIEC will replace the main panel, and hoist the panels to the roof as part of its responsibilities.

III.  FIEC will provide a kWh meter to the winning bidder to be installed on each solar electric system at a point that will record the energy production of each system.

IV. The Land Trust inverter placement will be on the east side near the map display area for the purposes of bidding this project.

V.  The FIEC Repeater Station bid will consist of:

-One (1) 30 to 35 watt, 12 volt DC amorphous silicon rigid photovoltaic panel

-One (1) Charge Controller, 12 volt DC rated between 6 and 10 amps

-One (1) Dual Purpose or Deep Cycle Marine Battery, 12 volt DC, 65 to 75 Amp Hours

-One (1) Inverter 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC, 100 to 300 watt,  true sine wave to minimize radio interference. 

VI. Solar panels for Elderly Care is to be ground mounted in the area shown in the RFP. The bottom of the panels should be three feet from the ground.  The southern-most row of panels can be no closer than fifteen feet to the property line.

VII. Solar water heating panels for Elderly Care are to be placed upon the roof as shown in the RFP. Although the owner has expressed no preference for symmetry, we would prefer symmetry if shading is not a factor.

6) Q. Are there any additional changes or clarifications to the RFP

    A. There are several additional clarifications regarding the Medical Center

The tree at the northwest side of the building may be trimmed or cut down if it shades the panels.  

The metal roof is an alternative location, however there are no structural drawings available to determine if this roof can withstand the loads.  Therefore, bidders are encouraged to consider:

a) lower wattage installation for the area originally specified, or