Broward County has set lofty targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing renewable energy systems. Advanced Roofing Inc. and Advanced Green Technologies are collaborating with the county to construct and co-own a diverse portfolio of 13 regional solar projects to achieve these goals. A critical project in their portfolio is the Stirling Branch Road Library in Hollywood, Florida which received a new PVC roof and solar array.
When the aging modified bitumen roof system on the Stirling Road Branch Library in Hollywood, Florida, began to fail, the team from Advanced Roofing Inc., a commercial re-roofing contractor based in Fort Lauderdale, quickly determined the building needed a new roof. They also realized that it was the ideal time for Broward County to add solar to the building. Advanced Roofing’s sister company, solar energy contractor Advanced Green Technologies, was enlisted to tackle that portion of the project.
Advanced Roofing Inc. and Advanced Green Technologies teamed up to install an energy-efficient PVC roof system and solar array at Stirling Library to help Broward County meet its renewable energy targets.
Advanced Roofing secured the public contract for the library’s reroofing project. Finding a creative way to use the many municipal and State of Florida Term Contracts offered through the procurement division, Advanced Roofing was able to include solar to the project by linking it to an existing contract with the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS). This contract streamlined the procurement process and successfully allowed for the library to receive a new roof and solar energy system at the same time.
“Piggybacking on existing term contracts like our Equalis Cooperative purchasing contract for solar installations can greatly benefit governments like Broward County and Miami Dade County, where we’re also building a portfolio of three sites, by accelerating the construction timeline and allowing for flexibility around the design phases,” notes Clint Sockman, vice president of Advanced Roofing Inc. and Advanced Green Technologies. “These agreements simplify the purchasing and procurement, reducing stress for those divisions. Ultimately, this leads to significant savings for the end user in terms of time and financial resources spent on project development.”
Replacing the Roof
The library first opened its doors in 2003, and its existing 21,600-square-foot modified bitumen roof had multiple leaks throughout the facility. After feasibility studies concluded that the library was a suitable location for a solar array, the new roof and photovoltaic systems were specified. The roof now features a SureFlex KEE PVC HP FleeceBACK membrane from Carlisle SynTec and a 158 kilowatt solar roof array with 400 Hanwha solar panels. The scope of work also included custom metal flashings and walkway pads.
Work began with the removal of base flashings and associated receiver metal. The existing roof was torn off down to the deck and safely disposed of in onsite dumpsters for removal. The roof area was cleaned with brooms and a power air blower.
The main roof was supported by metal decking, while an entrance roof had a concrete deck. A half-inch DensDeck cover board was mechanically fastened to the metal deck utilizing coated fasteners and plates. The Carlisle SynTec 60-mil and 115-mil KEE PVC Fleece Backed membranes were installed using the Rhinobond induction welding attachment methods in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Detail work included vent pipes, expansion joints, roof vents, and curbs. New shop-fabricated PVC-clad metal drip edge was set in mastic and flashed per the manufacturer’s recommendations. An elastomeric coating from Tropical Roof Coatings was applied to a wall that is visible from the ground.
Photovoltaic Panels
The solar array was then installed using both ballasted and mechanical attachment methods. The Hanwha Q Cell solar panels were installed on DCE racking systems.
“The solar array on the library offers an additional layer of resilience for the building, as it provides a secondary power source that isn’t solely dependent on the utility grid,” Sockman notes. “Furthermore, the roof and the solar system are designed to withstand the South Florida weather conditions, including hurricanes, ensuring the system and roof perform as expected, even during extreme weather events.”
The roof system has a 25-year NDL warranty, making it an ideal fit for the project, according to Sockman. “The Carlisle PVC KEE roof system and the solar array boast a 25-year lifespan, providing benefits of longevity and resilience,” he says. “This synchronizes the expected lifetimes of both the roof system and the solar array. We always aim to avoid installing a solar array on an aging roof asset to ensure the life expectancy of both assets aligns with the clients’ long-term objectives. Undertaking both projects simultaneously achieved this alignment and allowed the county to plan for a 25-year horizon.”
Safety First
The library was open during the project, so the safety plan had to ensure the safety of not only workers but library visitors and staff. “The Stirling Library project, like many others managed by our team at Advanced, was carried out while the facility remained fully functional,” Sockman explains. “This project required significant orchestration with library staff and county employees. Maintaining operations during such an undertaking call for substantial coordination and planning to ensure safety throughout the project.”
The Advanced Roofing and Advanced Green Technologies teams also collaborated closely with the Broward County Facility Department. “We ensured that the equipment was installed in the correct locations and in accordance with the county’s safety specifications,” Sockman says. “This process required consistent and open communication to ensure that the final goal — delivering a durable, high-quality product — was achieved.”
Designated staging areas were assigned and debris removal was coordinated at specific times to reduce the possibility of any disruption to the facility. “When we enter people’s buildings, we must reassure them that their primary business will continue to operate seamlessly while we install the new roof and solar array,” Sockman notes. “We meticulously coordinate details like safety, equipment arrival, materials loading, and even the timing of the temporary power shutdown needed to connect the solar array. To avoid any inconvenience, we plan these actions well in advance, often choosing to work after regular hours or during long weekends to minimize disruption. This careful planning ensures we remain engaged with and respectful of the businesses we serve.”
Successful Outcome
The success of the project is even more satisfying because it is so close to home. “As one of the regions most significantly impacted by climate change, Florida grapples with challenges like rising sea levels and intensified weather patterns. The Stirling Road Branch Library reroofing and solar installation project provided a unique opportunity for our company to demonstrate its expertise and proficiency, all while contributing to climate change mitigation efforts,” says Sockman.
“The project brought together Advanced Roofing, Inc.’s roofing division and Advanced Green Technologies, our solar division, to collaborate with Broward County. This teamwork helped to increase solar energy use within our local community. We at Advanced Roofing take immense pride in contributing to this crucial initiative, demonstrating our commitment to the community and the environment.”
TEAM
Roofing Contractor: Advanced Roofing Inc., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, advancedroofing.com
Solar Installer: Advanced Green Technologies, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, agt.com
MATERIALS
Membrane: SureFlex KEE PVC HP FleeceBACK, Carlisle SynTec Systems, carlislesyntec.com
Cover Board: DensDeck, Georgia-Pacific, buildgp.com
Solar Panels: Hanwha Q CELLS, Hanwha, hanwha.com
Solar Racking: DCESolar, dcesolar.com
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