An innovative solar energy system has been installed at the Simpson Pavilion in the Bronx, a LEED-certified Gold building that forms part of the Urban Health Plan, a network of community health centers in New York City. Instead of a rooftop system, the 37 kW system forms a “solar wall” on the side of the building.

A 37 kW "solar wall" system makes use of vertical space in an urban area.The PV system designed and installed by the team at Quixotic Systems foregoes limited roof space in favor of the Bronx building’s south-facing four-story façade. The high-efficiency array features 104 SunPower 327 panels mounted on a vertical rack.

The vertical system will offset the center’s energy use by 10%, saving an estimated $230,000 over the next 25 years. The system is expected to generate 31,986 kWh of energy in its first year of operation, avoiding 24.8 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.