Hamilton Marketplace

Shopping Center Solar Electric Installation Project Profile

The highly anticipated new Hamilton Marketplace Complex in Novato, built on the former site of Nave Lanes, created even more excitement by powering the shopping center with clean, green, renewable energy. SolarCraft designed and installed a 35.4 kilowatt solar energy system at Hamilton Marketplace and now all common areas, certain parking lot areas and walkways are powered by 100% solar energy.

The 94,000-square-foot center now supports 165 high efficiency SunPower 215 solar modules. The new system is expected to generate 53,174 kilowatt hours annually and spans 2,210 square feet. There is potential for each tenant to purchase individual solar energy systems to power their space with green, clean power.

The SunPower T10 Solar Roof Tile tilts at a 10-degree angle to increase energy capture. They are non-penetrating and lightweight, highly durable and resistant to high wind speeds up to 120 mph.

The solar electric system will enable the Hamilton Marketplace Complex to generate enough clean electricity to spare the air nearly 31 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually, equivalent to the air filtering of 6.2 acres of trees. Over the next 30 years, the air pollution saved will be comparable to driving over 2.1 million miles. A sound investment, the system will pay for itself in approximately 6 years and will continue to provide free, clean, renewable energy for decades to come.

Customer Profile

Grosvenor USA Limited, a British development and investment group with offices in San Francisco, acquired the property in 2005 and broke ground on the site in 2006. The shopping center includes a 60,000 square foot Safeway, a Safeway gas station, Wells Fargo Bank, Peets Coffee, several restaurants and a host of other retailers. Hamilton Marketplace is the retail centerpiece of redevelopment of the former Hamilton Air Force Base, which was decommisioned in 1974, and used since for residential and commercial purposes.

“By implementing renewable energy at Hamilton Marketplace we are significantly reducing our dependence on grid-supplied electricity and minimizing our impact on the environment. Further, we are decreasing our risk exposure to escalating energy costs. Our decision to use SolarCraft stemmed from their commitment from day one to educating Grosvenor on the specifics of solar power and how best to successfully harness it to power Hamilton Marketplace. Given their expertise and experience, they made our first, and definitely not last, foray into ‘going solar’ incredibly easy.”
~ Whitney Sylvester, LEED AP/Development Coordinator

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