About the Project

The Island Wide Photovoltaic Systems project entailed examining various commercial building roof top installations in Honolulu, verifying the adequacy of photovoltaic systems and their resistance to uplift forces generated by hurricane force winds.

In collaboration with one of Hawaii’s premier energy efficiency consultants, SSFM supported the sustainability programs of the Jodo Mission of Hawaii, Menehune Water, Hosoi Garden Mortuary, Kailua Racquet Club and Il Gelato. We conducted site visits to observe existing conditions and review available structural drawings.

Based on the support structure framing, we selected the appropriate anchorage designed to resist wind uplift loads as required by the International Building Codes. The solutions improved the cost effectiveness of the systems by allowing the panels to be installed without additional reinforcement of the existing roof framing.