VPS Architecture was awarded a grant from the Indiana Department of Energy to install an array of solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of our building at Sixth and Main. The state requires grant recipients to match its grant with an equal or larger financial contribution to the project.

In April of 2009, Morton Energy placed 36 solar panels on the roof of VPS’ Evansville offices. The panels are sized at three feet by five feet and can produce about 195 watts each. In the most favorable conditions, between late morning and early afternoon on sunny days, the cells will generate slightly more than 7,000 total watts of electricity, according to Brad Morton, president of Morton Energy. Morton has worked with VPS on other sustainable projects, including the new Ohio Township Library in Newburgh, a building that also utilizes photovoltaic panels to generate electricity.

About half of the electricity that VPS uses on a daily basis can be drawn from the new solar cells. “We are trying to walk the walk and not just talk the talk,” says Michael Shoulders, CEO of VPS Architecture. “We want to educate our clients about the advantages of clean energy and renewable resources.” When asked about the economic payback on the new solar system, Shoulders remarked, “We didn’t install the system for a quick payback. We installed it because, for us, we felt it was the right thing to do.”

Whatever is generated from the PV solar panels will not be stored in batteries, but will be sent directly to the Vectren electrical grid. VPS will be credited for every kilowatt it contributes and its utility bill will be lowered accordingly. On very sunny days, VPS’ electric meter will actually spin backwards. “That is way cool,” says Shoulders.