Benefits of Solar Construction Cameras
Solar power station technology advances has allowed solar
construction cameras to emerge as a reliable and durable
solution.
While construction management technologies are a necessary concern on
all projects, some sites and situations require a greater degree of
flexibility than others. Remote locations, absent of readily available
power, and urban locales, where it can be difficult to coordinate
utilities, often present a need for independently available power.
Similarly, power is often unavailable during the site preparation stage.
This lack of initial power makes it difficult to monitor and manage a
project's crucial beginnings and can limit a builder's ability to use
the ideal tools for a given task, exposing them to the risk of costly
delays and scheduling difficulties.
In recent years, advances in construction technology have allowed
solar powered camera systems to emerge as a reliable and durable
solution. Builders coping with powerless jobsites or wanting to leverage
green technologies now have the alternative they have been seeking.
Engineering:
Engineered with the same goals as the OxBlue construction camera, the
solar powered stations needed to be reliable, maintenance-free and
cost-effective. While customers have been asking for a solar powered
alternative for years, they often faced a daunting set of mixed messages
from vendors. Clients have reported price fluctuations as high as 300%
for the same site across multiple dealers. The most significant factor
in the cost of a solar station is the quantity and quality of the panels
and batteries being utilized. Most often, fluctuations in cost speak to
fluctuations in quality. Borrowing from the approach we used with our
construction camera, OxBlue has developed a highly standardized system
that delivers high quality images that are both reliable and cost
effective.
OxBlue's standardized approach to the situation allows us to
eliminate much of the guesswork in terms of cost and performance. We use
the same premium components in the largest and smallest systems and have
employed a uniform production process. As a result, OxBlue brings a
greater purchasing power to bear and is able to deliver a premium solar
station at a reduced price. OxBlue's Chandler McCormack provided an
example, "One component in good solar power stations should be a quality
charge controller. With other systems a controller consisting of one or
two indicator lights to display its status would be typical. However,
with OxBlue's units we've been able to leverage our purchasing power to
incorporate a top of the line charge controller that includes an LED
screen, increasing reliability and giving the user an easy to understand
system. As a result of our engineering we've been able to incorporate
many similar improvements into the system while keeping the cost
low."
Adopting a standardized model also creates an easier to use system
for the customer. Instead of having various wires and connections to
make between the parts, OxBlue has special outdoor cables manufactured
specifically for their solar systems. These cables eliminate the need
for a conduit and, since they only connect the correct way, they
eliminate the complications of having to figure out the wiring involved.
Similarly, every system is designed for December conditions, when
average daily sunlight is at a minimum, and even in these conditions the
power stations are capable of running for almost a week without sun.
Success Stories:
AMB Property Corporation (NYSE:AMB) started using OxBlue Solar
Construction Cameras on jobsites in order to monitor the project from
day one, when sites are being cleared and temporary power is not yet
available. A construction camera is only as good as the view it can
capture, and Solar Power Systems allow AMB to position cameras anywhere
on the site they like, regardless of power line locations. The systems
eliminate the coordination and headaches of getting power to the right
location, which can be an issue in both urban and rural areas. In
addition, AMB were able to use the OxBlue Solar Power stations as part
of their LEED certification program and to take advantage of the 30%
Federal Tax Credit for Renewable Power. Needless to say, the decision to
use OxBlue Solar Power stations has resulted in a successful customer
and program.
Tax Incentives:
An additional incentive for these construction cameras is the renewable
energy Federal tax credit program. The Solar Energy Federal Tax Credit
offers a 30% credit for equipment that uses solar energy to generate
electricity, such as the solar power stations available from OxBlue. For
most companies, that translates into savings starting at more than
$1,000 per camera.
The Solar Energy Federal Tax Credit has become so popular that the
U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that extends
the 30% Federal tax credit through 2017, giving business owners plenty
of time to purchase a solar construction camera system and take
advantage of the dollar for dollar tax savings opportunity.
In addition to federal tax incentives, customers purchasing the solar
power station for a construction webcam system may be eligible for other
state, local and utility incentives that promote renewable energy.
Additional information regarding these incentives can be found on the
DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency) website
at dsireusa.org.
