01
Comparative carport
PV system over parking + commercial showroom: string vs microinverter vs optimizers, mono vs poly vs bifacial. Shade + sales + research in one place.
The energy
Campus CIAE doesn't consume energy: it gives it back
A 100 kWp photovoltaic system across four zones, BESS storage with self-consumption priority, and CFE grid interconnection under GDMTH tariff. Result: 120% generation vs consumption. Net positive, not just net zero.
Overview
The system in one image
Generation
100kWp
Across 4 zones
Storage
BESS
Self-consumption priority
Interconnection
GDMTH
CFE medium voltage
Coverage
120%
Generation vs consumption
Generation zones
Four zones, one grid
02
Container rooftop
Main campus system, connected to BESS. Scheduled maintenance by LIMSON with safe access.
03
Industrial facility rooftop
Second operational system + secondary showroom with inverters from different brands and live dashboards for each.
04
Test slab (future)
Experimental bench for university research: bifaciality, orientations, angles, degradation comparisons. Publishable papers.
The BESS and why it's different
Not a backup battery.
Educational engineering.
The Campus BESS prioritizes self-consumption: stores solar energy the building doesn't use at the moment, exports only surplus. This reduces fossil fuel dependence even at night or during peak hours.
But the BESS has a second purpose: to teach. The cables are designed to be accessible and identifiable. CIAE students can make real measurements. OC evaluators can examine the system during EC0586 evaluations. UTH students can see energy flow on-site. There's no other educational BESS like this in Mexico.
Efficiency first
Generate 120% with a building that doesn't waste
The trick isn't just installing many panels. It's building something that needs little energy to start with. That's what separates net positive from greenwashing.
R-18
Container thermal insulation (50% above NOM-020-ENER code)
Low-E
Double-pane windows with passive solar control
SEER 18
Minisplit inverter AC with R-32 (GWP 675 vs 2088 R-410A)
100% LED
Lighting with BMS scheduling and sensors
Bioclimatic
Container orientation north-south axis + tree shading
Corten pergola
Passive shading in common areas + HVLS fan
Who builds it
The group ecosystem, not third parties
The Campus CIAE PV system, BESS and interconnection were not contracted out. They're the work of the group's companies. This isn't coincidence: the Campus is the materialization of the group's capabilities.
PSE
Design and installation of 100 kWp PV system
Visitar sitio →IED
Electrical engineering and CFE GDMTH interconnection
Visitar sitio →LIMSON
PV operational maintenance plan
Visitar sitio →UIIE Industria
Interconnection inspection under CRE
Visitar sitio →UIIE Instalaciones
NOM-001-SEDE installation verification
Visitar sitio →LEED v5
How this translates into LEED points
Energy is the strongest category in the scorecard. 30 of 33 possible points in the EA category, including the 3 credits mandatory for Platinum.
EAc1 Anticipated
Electrification
5
/ 5 points Platinum Mandatory
- 100% electric, no natural gas. Electric cooking, AC, water heating via PV recovery
EAc3 Anticipated
Enhanced Energy Efficiency
10
/ 10 points Platinum Mandatory
- R-18 + Low-E + AC SEER 18 + 100% LED lighting + BMS scheduling. ~50% reduction vs ASHRAE baseline
Project priority: PR1
EAc4 Anticipated
Renewable Energy
5
/ 5 points Platinum Mandatory
- 100 kWp PV system across 4 zones (carport, containers, warehouse, future slab). Generates 120% of consumption — net positive
EAc6 Anticipated
Grid Interactivity
2
/ 2 points
- BESS with self-consumption priority. CFE GDMTH interconnection. Educational design with accessible cabling
EAc7 Anticipated
Enhanced Refrigerant Management
2
/ 2 points
- R-32 (GWP 675) in all ACs vs R-410A (GWP 2088) — 68% less GWP
PRc1.7 Anticipated
Net Zero (actually net positive)
1
/ 1 points
- 100 kWp across 4 zones + BESS + GDMTH = 120% generation vs consumption
Frequently asked questions
What people ask us
What is a net positive building?
A net positive building produces more energy than it consumes in a typical year. Campus CIAE generates 120% — the 20% surplus is exported to the CFE grid under the GDMTH tariff net metering scheme. It's not net zero (compensation), it's actual production with surplus.
How does the BESS operate?
The Campus BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) has self-consumption priority: stores solar energy first, exports surplus to grid only. This reduces fossil fuel dependence even during low-generation hours. It's also intentionally designed with accessible cabling for educational purposes.
Under which CFE tariff is it interconnected?
Tariff GDMTH (Large Demand in Medium Voltage Hourly). It's the appropriate tariff for industrial/commercial users with demand greater than 100 kW. The BESS syncs with peak/intermediate/base hour schedules to optimize self-consumption during expensive hours and export during cheap ones when convenient.
What happens if CFE fails?
The BESS provides operational continuity autonomy for critical campus functions. It's not an instant-protection UPS for the entire building, but it does maintain essential operation during short interruptions. For prolonged emergencies, there are load management protocols.
Who installed the system?
The PV system is designed and installed by PSE (Proyectos y Soluciones en Energía), the group brand specialized in solar projects with GOODWE Authorized Service Center. Electrical engineering and CFE interconnection by IED (Ingeniería Eléctrica del Desierto). Operational maintenance is LIMSON's responsibility.
Is there a public generation dashboard?
Yes, planned for Phase 3 of the portal. It will show live generation from each of the 4 zones, technology comparisons from the showroom, and real-time building consumption. Meanwhile, aggregate data is published in the monthly journal.
See the system in operation
Schedule a technical visit to the inverter showroom or learn about the 3 Campus certifications.