Solar PV panels and wind turbine charge off-grid battery powered system

McCown Gordon Construction is one of the largest general contractors in the Kansas City area, and is practicing sustainability as they grow.  Their environmental commitment can be seen in many aspects of their work, but one of the most visible statements the company makes is with their eco-friendly Green Trailer.

The trailer is full of smart, money-saving and environmentally-friendly ideas.  The most visible, of course, are the solar panels and wind generator installed by The Energy Savings Store.  With the exception of the high-efficiency air conditioning system (which is used only on the hottest summer days), the off-grid 1.8kW solar array and 400 watt AirX wind turbine charge batteries which power everything in the trailer, including low-voltage lights, office equipment, kitchen appliances, and an LCD screen.  The trailer's energy efficiency is so impressive that it is often used to charge power tools and other needs!

The trailer was designed to be very energy efficient, using spray foam insulation to minimize leakage.  The need for artificial light is minimized by the effective use of natural daylight, and solar window shades allow light in but keep the weather out -reducing heating and cooling loads by 40 percent.   The trailer has three solar-powered exhaust fans that keep the air fresh.  A composting toilet eliminates the need for a portable "Johnny-on-the-Spot" toilet, saving nearly 1,600 gallons of water a year.

The roofing and exterior paneling features Energy Star Rated recycled metal, and the interior paneling is made from recycled lumber.  The trailer is full of additional recycled materials, and any materials left over in the construction were reused in other projects rather than being sent to a landfill.

McCown Gordon estimates that if each of the 1250 job site trailers in Kansas City were all converted to Green Trailers, it would save over 42 million kilowatt hours of electricity every year - enough to power  3,500 homes.  It would also save over two million gallons of water, and probably put the porta-potty people out of business!  For more information, see  http://greentrailer.mccowngordon.com/.