On-Site versus In-Factory Installation of Solar-Plus-Storage in Modular Construction
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149, Issue 5
Abstract
High initial cost, mainly due to inefficient construction processes, remains the greatest barrier for residential adoption of solar plus storage (SPS) systems. Modular construction, with a factory-controlled environment and control over the home design, is well suited to address these issues (e.g., efficiencies, waste, inventory control, and quality). Furthermore, these areas have great potential in modular construction to address the high initial cost issue. This study focused on the integration of solar-plus-storage installation upstream in modular housing. Although moving the solar-plus-storage installation process into the factory has many barriers (e.g., change of the scope of work at some workstations without affecting the whole production line, change of quality control, warehousing of solar-plus-storage in correct conditions, change in the supply chain, and required certification of workers), the great potential presented by modular construction methods warrants the study. This study analyzed on-site installation cost and in-factory installation cost through factory information modeling, as well as job safety. Results reveal that integrating solar-plus-storage installation into the production line of modular construction achieved a 37% reduction in installation time compared with onsite installation. Overall, a 21% reduction of total cost could be achieved if solar-plus-storage is installed in-factory. Furthermore, with the in-factory approach, 28% of safety hazards related to solar-plus-storage installation activities are removed. Such an approach could increase solar-plus-storage installation productivity, reduce inspection time, reduce costly on-site rework, and address the solar-plus-storage system affordability issue overall.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, including interviews, and operational and cost data.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the assistance, advice, and guidance of several people without whose help this project would not have been possible. Members of the Industry committee: Bill Brooks, Brooks Engineering; Craig Ferrera, Green Mountain Power; Thomas Chase, New Ecology; Tod Olinsky-Paul, Clean Energy Group; John Peavey, Home Innovation Research Labs; and Robert Dunn, Green Mountain Solar. Members of the research team: NREL—Shanti Pless, Ankur Podder; VEIC—Alison Donovan, Kalee Whitehouse, Karla Salazar, Damon Lane, Leslie Badger, Peter Schneider, and Desmon Kirwan. The authors thank HUD, Policy Development and Research, Cooperative Research in Housing Technologies for their support in funding this project. This support does not constitute an endorsement by HUD of the views expressed in this report. The authors appreciate the encouragement and support from Michael D. Blanford, program manager in Washington, DC.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 149 • Issue 5 • May 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 30, 2022
Accepted: Dec 22, 2022
Published online: Feb 20, 2023
Published in print: May 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Jul 20, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Benefit cost ratios
- Business management
- Construction costs
- Construction engineering
- Construction industry
- Construction management
- Construction methods
- Construction wastes
- Employment
- Environmental engineering
- Financial management
- Labor
- Management methods
- Modular structures
- Personnel management
- Pollutants
- Practice and Profession
- Project management
- Quality control
- Residential construction
- Solid wastes
- Structural engineering
- Structures (by type)
- Wastes
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