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Mojave Solar Project

Additional Info

Award Winner : Universal Modular Building Solutions, Inc.

Architectural Excellence : Two Administration and Control Building for a 250 Mega Watt Concentrating Solar Power Plant. Originally designed as Pre-Engineered Steel Building but converted to use Modular Technology due to remote site and schedule considerations. Each building is a 2 Story total of 8996 sq ft with 7144 sq ft of operations and administrative space and 1822 sq ft of second floor control room space. Interior and exterior steel stairs and landings combined with enclosed modular elevator to meet ADA requirements. Administrative and management offices, work rooms, kitchen and break room, male and female shower and locker rooms with restrooms. Upstairs Solar Plant Control room with wall mounted video screens. Building exterior is 26 Gauge PBR Galvalume siding painted Sand Castle Beige to match desert environment. 14 modules(7)12x63, (2)12x67, (1)12x30,on the 1st floor and (1)12x43, (1)12x51, and (2)12x30 on the 2nd floor. The multiple module sizes were required to meet the customer's specific layout.

Cost Energy Effectiveness : The use of modular technology was perfect for this project. The project is in a remote California Mojave Desert location where environmental concerns were at the forefront. By using modular technology we were able to minimize the impact to the environment by substantially reducing the onsite work force. There were full time environmental and Native American Archaeological monitors for any disruption of the site and any disturbance to the native flora and fauna. The customer also realized a significant cost savings for the project due to the onsite Project Labor Agreement requiring 100% Union Labor for all on site trades. Relocatability was not relevant to this project as it is a permanent building. The building was installed on solid concrete stem wall and internal intermediate piers.

Design Firm Name : None

Engineering Firm Name : Acumen Engineering

Green Building Description : The "Greenness" of these buildings comes from their use as Solar Plant Control Buildings and the reduction of greenhouse gasses and onsite waste as a result of factory built technology. The buildings will also be partially powered by the power being produced by the Solar Plant.

Installer Firm Name : Walden Structures

Occupied Date : 1/15/2014

Owner Firm Name : Mojave Solar

Production Start Date : 5/15/2013

Project Location City : Hinkley

Project Location State Name : CA

Technical Innovation : Due to the remote and hostile desert environment factory-built construction was a natural fit for this project. The union workforce on site and the work rules were by necessity very stringent and extensive. Modular technology allowed a substantial reduction of onsite labor, vehicular traffic, and construction equipment.
Certain chemical compounds used in the process are prevalent throughout the site and are damaging to standard building flooring and our solution was to use ceramic tile throughout. Each building has multiple power and data distribution capabilities to every room. There are 2 fire suppression systems. One standard water system and one waterless fire suppressant for the control and electrical rooms. Portions of these systems were factory installed. HVAC system has 100% redundant operation and humidity controls as needed for extensive monitoring and control of the solar power plant operations. All interior walls are insulated for sound reduction.

Total Square Feet : 17932

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