McKenney’s installed a solar photovoltaic (PV) system aimed at taking advantage of significant Georgia state tax credits for renewable energy properties.

1. PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Solar PV System Saves
Energy, Pays for Itself
In 2010, McKenney’s had a newly renovated
Atlanta headquarters with only one facet of
the project remaining—installing a 53.04 kW
DC-rated solar photovoltaic (PV) system aimed
at taking advantage of significant Georgia
to harvest solar energy without impacting
the facility. A ballasted installation system
allowing panels to sit on top of the roof with
no mechanical attachments and minimal
roof penetrations was selected. McKenney’s
in-house electrical expert guided efforts
with the electrical designer to tie the
solar PV ­ ystem into the building’s
s
existing distribution systems.
In the end, the installation was expedited and McKenney’s qualified for the
35 percent Georgia tax credit as well
as a 30 percent federal grant reimbursement for the system’s installed
cost. Now operational for three years,
the solar system has generated more
than 227,000 kW hours of electricity
to date—12 percent more than
“ capture all three originally ­ nticipated. McKenney’s
…
a
LEED ® credits for
expects to recover its entire
on-site ­renewable
i
­nvestment costs for the system
energy…”
in approximately five years.
state tax credits for renewable energy properties. However, there was only a limited
amount of state tax credit funds available,
forcing McKenney’s to ramp up quickly to
ensure it would qualify and collect the tax
credits. As a result, McKenney’s took action,
promptly installed its 221 solar panel system,
and encountered only minor challenges
along the way.
To avoid compromising the integrity of its
new roof, McKenney’s worked with First
C
­ entury Energy to determine the best way
The system also generates an average of
14 percent of the electrical capacity for the
building, which has enabled McKenney’s
to capture all three LEED® credits for onsite renewable energy as part of its LEED
New Construction Gold certification. The
renewable energy generated to date is
equivalent in impact to the carbon sequestration capacity of 131 acres of forest, plant­
ing over 4,000 tree seedlings in a ten-year
period, powering 24 homes for a full year
or removing 33 cars and their emissions
from roadways.
For more information contact McKenney’s at 404-622-5000.
info@mckenneys.com  www.mckenneys.com
McKenney’s, Inc.  1056 Moreland Industrial Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30316
Project Team
žž Owner: McKenney’s, Inc.
žž General Contractor:
First Century Energy
žž Engineer: Conway Owen
(electrical design)
The Challenge
žž Cap on tax credit funds
žž Quick solar PV installation
žž Maintain roof integrity
The Solution
žž Expedited installation
žž Collaborated with
general ­contractor
žž Enlisted ballasted
installation system
The Results
žž Earned 35 percent Georgia
tax credit
žž Received 30 percent federal
grant reimbursement
žž Exceeded electricity
generation expectations
žž Captured three LEED
New ­ onstruction credits
C
®
Overall, the project demonstrates
M
­ cKenney’s commitment to sustainability,
a strong technical savvy in building systems,
an in-depth understanding of energy-driven
projects and insight into the long-term
­
benefits of reduced operating expenses.
McKenney’s applies this same commitment
to implementing complete energy saving
solutions for its customers.
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