Sky Factory Sustainable Manufacturing uses 100% Renewable Solar Energy

On Thursday, June 7, 2012, The Sky Factory, a global fine art and technology company based in Fairfield, Iowa, “flipped the switch” to become Iowa's first fully solar powered business.

Designed and installed by Fairfield's Ideal Energy, the 3,500 sq. ft. photovoltaic panel array, generating 54 kilowatts, was in 2012 the largest private installation in the state and designed to generate more than 100% of Sky Factory's power needs.

Implementing renewable energy systems is the right thing to do - for the planet, for our children and for ourselves - a necessity for a sustainable future. Sky Factory's solar array is a manifestation of a consensus-based company and represents our unified desire to develop and act on that inner knowing.

Inspired by Jack Eastman, long-time Sierra Club leader and Sky Factory's own eco-conscience, we began to investigate and implement sustainable practices throughout the company. Sky Factory total recycling, the new energy conserving building, and implementation of a renewable energy system all spring from Jack's dedication to an eco-centric awareness of life and living.

Further, for the last several decades bio-evolutionary science has been honing the idea that human beings have an innate love of nature, called biophilia. This instinctive attraction to nature has been dampened by the way modern life has distanced us from contact and connection with nature. Enlivening our inherent biophilia draws us closer to our roots in the natural world, renews our sensitivity to the wonder of nature, and delivers proven benefits for body and mind.

The Sky Factory's primary business is to create illusions of nature that enliven biophilia. In turn, enlivened biophilia promotes a life deeply connected with nature. As our instinctive appreciation and love of nature grows, we care for nature with greater enthusiasm and understanding.

SYSTEM SPECS:
Total System Size: 54.050 kW DC Power (STC)/ 47.627 kW AC Power (CEC)
Estimated Annual Production: 79,062 kWh
PV Panel Description: Canadian Solar Model: CS6P-235PX (232 panels)
Inverters: Enphase Energy Model: M215-60-2LL-S22 (232 inverters)

Enphase Microinverters allow each solar panel to operate independently and control the power from each with 99.6% accuracy. This results in a significant increase in the performance of the entire system.