SAN FRANCISCO—Del Monte Electric, one of northern California's leading electrical contractors, has been a key collaborator on the newly renovated San Francisco Exploratorium at Pier 15, installing nearly 6000 photo voltaic (PV) solar panels on the roof of the building. The $300 million investment in renovating Pier 15 on the waterfront Embarcadero is designed to be the largest net-zero energy-use museum in the U.S. with a cooling and heating system that uses bay water.

This historical project for Del Monte Electric was a collaborative effort with a major solar provider and will generate 1.4 megawatts of direct current power which converts into 1.3 megawatts of alternating current to support 100% of the energy demand for the Exploratorium.

The PV solar panels Del Monte Electric installed are 50% more efficient than conventional solar panels and will avert 33,150 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over a 30 year period.

“Our biggest challenge was timing with the weather, water and the barge crane that lifted a vast amount of material to the Exploratorium roof,” said Vince Almason, general foreman at Del Monte Electric. “Planning was critical to saving costs by scheduling only two lifts with the extremely expensive barge crane, and we were successful in strategically getting the 30,000 feet of rail and 60,000 feet of wire lifted to the roof and installed before the second lift and installation of 5,900 PV panels.”

The solar installation had an accelerated timeline. A combination of heat, wind and rough seas also had to be considered during the two successful barge lifts.

“This was a landmark project for Del Monte Electric and we are very excited to have collaborated on this move and renovation of the Exploratorium's 330,000-square-foot facility at Pier 15,” said John Hunter, president of Del Monte Electric. “The capabilities of our team were continually challenged during this project as we met critical deadlines under aggressive schedules, and I am proud that our expertise in solar installation was the contributing factor in keeping this project on time and on budget.”

Del Monte Electric specializes in public and privately funded projects that require a high degree of electrical knowledge, have aggressive schedules and require complex installations. The company builds long term relationships with customers and is consistent in delivering quality work on time and within budget.