Inovateus Solar Completes Largest Rooftop Solar Array for Any Cultural Institution in the State of Illinois for Chicago's Historic Shedd Aquarium

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Inovateus Solar LLC, a worldwide installer of commercial and industrial solar power systems, installed the solar systems at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium to launch the first phase of the institution's clean-energy initiative. The solar firm was an integral part of an energy construction project headed by global energy management company Schneider Electric. The project consisted of the rooftop installation of 913 photovoltaic solar panels on the aquarium's marine mammal pavilion.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140116/CG48009)

In an event held on the roof of the Abbott Oceanarium in late 2013, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn was on hand to help unveil the 265-kilowatt project, the largest solar installation on any cultural institution in the state of Illinois.

Shedd worked with public and private energy leaders to advance the building's energy management system, bringing Shedd closer to achieving its long-term goal of saving close to 10 million kilowatt hours annually – enough to power a town of 750 households.

Governor Quinn stated. "The solar panel project at the aquarium is the start of many progressive changes to our energy economy, serving as a model to integrate sustainability into operations for organizations around the country."

Inovateus Solar was commissioned to provide their expertise in this historic undertaking in September of 2013. Inovateus Solar is a licensed general contractor in the City of Chicago. "We were excited when Schneider Electric brought us in as the solar general contractor for this project," said Inovateus Solar President T.J. Kanczuzewski. "We used Schneider Electric components for the installation, such as combiner boxes and inverters. We sourced out all solar panels, and handled engineering, project management and integration."

Kanczuzewski stated that J. Ranck was the electrical contractor for the project. Schletter provided the racking systems used for solar panels in conjunction with their Anchor Product line.

"Schneider chose Inovateus Solar for their proven track record of quality and responsiveness," said Schneider Electric Executive Vice President Dean Meyer. "A project like Shedd had to be installed quickly due to schedule requirements and with attention to detail due to permitting and final appearance on a historic Chicago landmark."

The new solar energy system will power life-support equipment to the aquarium's Great Lakes gallery. In addition to reducing costs and enhancing the building's energy reserve and life support, the system supports Shedd's Great Lakes initiative to protect and preserve the lakes by reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

"Renewable energy is obviously tied very closely to environmental awareness," said Kanczuzewski. "That's why it's fitting that this renewable energy project is directly connected to the Great Lakes exhibit."

"Protecting and preserving the living world is at the heart of Shedd Aquarium and we understand that conservation and sustainability begin at home in the aquarium," said Ted A. Beattie, Shedd President and CEO.

"The people at Shedd Aquarium really care about the environment and clean energy," said Kanczuzewski. "Their goal is to be the greenest aquarium out there, and they are well on their way with the completion of this project."

About Inovateus Solar
Inovateus Solar is a worldwide turnkey installer of commercial and industrial solar systems. Inovateus Solar LLC, has been involved with the installation of many high profile rooftop, carport, and ground mount photovoltaic systems in the United States and abroad. As a distributor and integrator for many of the world's largest photovoltaic manufacturers, Inovateus Solar LLC, offers competitive pricing for turnkey installations while providing a wealth of experience in system design, specification, procurement and project management.

SOURCE Inovateus Solar LLC