Powering U.S. Embassies with Advanced Photovoltaic Systems

Black & Veatch is a leader in the planning and design of “Smart Cities-Smart Base” elements for Federal and DoD installations and was tasked with providing Photovoltaic Systems Engineering Services for the U.S. Embassy in Valletta, Malta, and the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, Djibouti; and Photovoltaic and Wind Resources Data Collection for the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

In Malta, Black & Veatch was contracted to design a new three million dollar photovoltaic system on top of a new parking canopy structure, having the dual purpose of providing sun shading for 83 vehicles. The new structure will span the entire 2500 sq. meter staff parking lot and will support the new 250kW photovoltaic array, which will be the largest PV system in Malta. The project included a Digital Acquisition System (DAS), which runs real time information about the power generation of the array system back to the main lobby of the Embassy on a large screen LCD format, with a variety of screens and instrument displays.

In Turkey, with energy prices approaching 5 times the average of U.S. energy prices since energy deregulation began in 2001, the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul was targeted by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Overseas Building Operations (OBO) for the design of an on-site renewable energy system including solar energy (photovoltaics), and a possible wind turbine installation.

In all three projects, Black & Veatch was the primary (and sole) designer of record. Black & Veatch has numerous LEED Accredited Professionals and has completed several LEED projects. Because of superior performance on this contract, our team was selected for the design-build construction of ECM's at the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua.

In Djibouti, Black & Veatch was awarded a contract to design a new photovoltaic system at the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti, which has been recently constructed. The project will include a Digital Acquisition System (DAS), which runs real time information about the power generation of the array system back to the main lobby of the Embassy on a large screen LCD format, with a variety of screens and instrument displays about site meteorological conditions.

• Photovoltaic System Sun Shade Canopy Parking Structure, U.S. Embassy, Valletta, Malta: 33% of yearly energy usage or about 330kW hours yearly were saved.

• Photovoltaic System and Wind Resources Data Collection, U.S. Consulate, Istanbul, Turkey: new system will generate 275-325 kW or about 40% of yearly energy usage.

• Photovoltaic System, U.S. Embassy, Djibouti, Djibouti: 35% of yearly energy usage.