This REjournals article highlights an innovative renewable energy project completed by Arch Solar on a seven-story office building in Shorewood, near Milwaukee. The project involved installing an 83-foot-tall vertical solar array directly onto the side of the building, transforming a previously unused brick wall into a productive source of clean energy. Developed for Dominion Properties, the installation demonstrates how urban commercial buildings can creatively integrate solar technology even when rooftop space is limited.
The system consists of 120 solar modules arranged in an array measuring approximately 83 feet high by 23 feet wide. The 54-kilowatt installation is expected to generate roughly 58,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to offset the yearly energy usage of about six average homes. Dominion Properties said the system would help reduce electricity costs for tenants, especially during a period of rapidly rising utility prices. Mike O’Connor, co-founder of Dominion Properties, described solar energy as a major opportunity for commercial office buildings because electricity demand during business hours aligns closely with peak solar production.
A major focus of the article is the engineering challenge posed by a vertical solar installation in a dense urban environment. Traditional solar arrays in Wisconsin are typically installed at angled positions to maximize sun exposure and improve snow shedding. In this case, however, the modules needed to be mounted vertically at a 90-degree angle on the building facade. Additional shading from neighboring structures complicated the design further. To address these issues, Arch Solar used SolarEdge DC-optimized technology, including power optimizers and Synergy inverters, allowing each module to operate independently and maintain strong performance despite partial shading conditions.
The article also emphasizes safety and future scalability. The system includes arc fault detection, temperature sensors and SolarEdge’s SafeDC technology, which automatically lowers voltage to safer levels for maintenance crews and emergency responders. Arch Solar representatives noted that the oversized inverters allow Dominion Properties to expand the system later without replacing major equipment.
Overall, the project is presented as a forward-thinking example of sustainable urban development. By converting unused wall space into an energy-generating asset, the installation demonstrates how commercial property owners can lower operating costs, reduce environmental impact and encourage broader adoption of solar energy in urban settings.
