MARLBORO & NORTON, USA: Evergreen Solar, a manufacturer of STRING RIBBON solar power products with its proprietary, low-cost silicon wafer manufacturing technology, announced that a solar power system using Evergreen Solar panels has been installed on the grounds of the TPC Boston in Norton for the 2009 Deutsche Bank Championship, a PGA TOUR Playoff event.
The goal of incorporating solar energy into the Deutsche Bank Championship is to highlight the importance of solar energy and its potential to help meet the nation's energy needs while addressing concerns about the environment and global warming.
The solar installation is part of the Deutsche Bank Championship’s overall greening initiative through which, for the second consecutive year, the tournament is the only carbon-neutral event on the PGA TOUR.
“We’re thrilled to be involved with the Deutsche Bank Championship and the PGA TOUR on its biggest stage – the PGA TOUR Playoffs,” said Dr. Terry Bailey, Evergreen Solar’s senior vice president of marketing & sales. “We commend the Deutsche Bank Championship for its commitment to being the greenest event on the PGA TOUR and are proud to be able to contribute clean, solar energy to help make that possible.”
The solar system, which is housed between the ninth green and 10th tee box on the TPC Boston course, demonstrates to the public a typical photovoltaic (PV) system that produces enough energy to power the average American home. The energy produced by the installation will be put back into the local power grid to help offset some of the power used throughout the Championship.
“We take great pride in being the first and only carbon-neutral event on the PGA TOUR,” said Eric Baldwin, Deutsche Bank Championship Director. “We’re excited to partner with Evergreen Solar in order to not only offset our power consumption throughout Championship Week but also demonstrate the benefits of solar power.”
All of the solar panels for the installation were donated by Evergreen Solar. Evergreen panels deliver more electricity with less impact on the environment including the smallest carbon footprint and quickest energy payback of any silicon panel. Alteris Renewables, the Northeast’s leading installer for homes, businesses and organizations, donated and oversaw the system design and installation materials and services.
Showing posts with label solar power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solar power. Show all posts
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
ReneSola signs Loi to develop 500 MW of solar power generation
JIASHAN, CHINA: ReneSola has entered into a letter of intent with the Yancheng city government, Jiangsu province, to develop a 500 megawatt on-grid solar power generation project.
In addition, the Company has been granted the exclusive right in a letter of intent with the Panzhihua east district government, Sichuan province, to develop a 5 MW rooftop project. Both projects are subject to feasibility studies and approvals by various government authorities.
"We are delighted to announce the addition of these new projects to our downstream solar project portfolio," said Xianshou Li, ReneSola's chief executive officer.
"The 500 MW solar project in neighboring Jiangsu province is set to become one of the largest of its kind so far in China. A project of this magnitude will showcase ReneSola's expertise in utility-scale solar applications and help raise our profile in the downstream space as we position ourselves to benefit from the government's enhanced focus on renewable energy."
According to the letter of intent entered into with the Yancheng city government, ReneSola will develop a 500 MW on-grid power generation project in Jiangsu province, China. The project will consist of mainly ground-mounted system applications and 10 MW of rooftop installations to be built over a six-year period.
According to the letter of intent entered into with the Panzhihua east district government, ReneSola will develop a rooftop project of no less than 600,000 square meters for new or existing government buildings, with installed capacity planned to reach 5 MW.
Source: SolarBuzz
In addition, the Company has been granted the exclusive right in a letter of intent with the Panzhihua east district government, Sichuan province, to develop a 5 MW rooftop project. Both projects are subject to feasibility studies and approvals by various government authorities.
"We are delighted to announce the addition of these new projects to our downstream solar project portfolio," said Xianshou Li, ReneSola's chief executive officer.
"The 500 MW solar project in neighboring Jiangsu province is set to become one of the largest of its kind so far in China. A project of this magnitude will showcase ReneSola's expertise in utility-scale solar applications and help raise our profile in the downstream space as we position ourselves to benefit from the government's enhanced focus on renewable energy."
According to the letter of intent entered into with the Yancheng city government, ReneSola will develop a 500 MW on-grid power generation project in Jiangsu province, China. The project will consist of mainly ground-mounted system applications and 10 MW of rooftop installations to be built over a six-year period.
According to the letter of intent entered into with the Panzhihua east district government, ReneSola will develop a rooftop project of no less than 600,000 square meters for new or existing government buildings, with installed capacity planned to reach 5 MW.
Source: SolarBuzz
Monday, July 13, 2009
Solar Power, Aerojet launch employee solar discount program
ROSEVILLE, USA: Solar Power Inc. and Aerojet, a GenCorp company, announced that they have launched a discount program on photovoltaic solar home energy systems for employees of Aerojet’s operations in Sacramento.
The Aerojet Solar Advantage Program will be serviced by Yes! Solar SolutionsTM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Solar Power, Inc. and will provide Aerojet employees with a special discount on SPI’s proprietary line of Yes! Solar Solutions integrated home energy systems.
When coupled with the current Federal Investment Tax Credit and California Solar Initiative rebate, the discount reduces the total system cost by up to 60 percent, providing the 1,600 Sacramento Aerojet employees with cost-effective opportunities for reducing or eliminating home electricity costs.
In addition to helping employees mitigate rising electricity costs, the program also provides a way for Aerojet to indirectly extend the environmental benefits produced by its 3.5 megawatt solar system, currently under construction.
During its first year of use, the Aerojet system is expected to offset approximately 4,200 tons of carbon dioxide, 16.7 tons of sulfur dioxide and approximately 6.5 tons of nitrogen oxide that would have otherwise been produced using fossil fuel power production.
The first-year net clean energy benefits equate to offsetting approximately 8,270,000 car miles driven or the clean air benefits realized from planting 976,520 trees. With a system life expectancy of 25 years, the scope of this project will yield major cumulative life-cycle environmental offsets.
“The Aerojet Solar Advantage Program is a significant addition to both our sustainability initiative and our employee benefits offering,” said Scott Neish, President of Aerojet.
“By providing our Sacramento employees with access to discounted solar systems for their homes, we are extending to them our Company’s commitment to solar energy solutions, while also providing them with a deeply discounted hedge against rising electricity costs. This program is a win-win for all involved.”
Under the sustainability initiative, Aerojet has decreased the Company’s carbon footprint by instituting initiatives to track and improve energy usage and transportation practices, and is implementing conservation measures and recycling programs at many of their facilities across the country.
Aerojet has also established a sustainability council comprised of employees from all Aerojet locations to evolve the sustainability program.
“We are not aware of another employee program like this in the US,” said Steve Kircher, CEO of Solar Power. “It is a pleasure to work with a forward thinking company like Aerojet to develop and launch this innovative program.
"As more businesses around the world follow their example and adopt sustainability initiatives, providing employees access to discounted renewable energy to power their homes will no doubt become a more widely implemented form of employee benefit.”
Installation of Aerojet’s 3.5 megawatt system is now underway and on track for completion in November of this year.
The Aerojet Solar Advantage Program will be serviced by Yes! Solar SolutionsTM, a wholly owned subsidiary of Solar Power, Inc. and will provide Aerojet employees with a special discount on SPI’s proprietary line of Yes! Solar Solutions integrated home energy systems.
When coupled with the current Federal Investment Tax Credit and California Solar Initiative rebate, the discount reduces the total system cost by up to 60 percent, providing the 1,600 Sacramento Aerojet employees with cost-effective opportunities for reducing or eliminating home electricity costs.
In addition to helping employees mitigate rising electricity costs, the program also provides a way for Aerojet to indirectly extend the environmental benefits produced by its 3.5 megawatt solar system, currently under construction.
During its first year of use, the Aerojet system is expected to offset approximately 4,200 tons of carbon dioxide, 16.7 tons of sulfur dioxide and approximately 6.5 tons of nitrogen oxide that would have otherwise been produced using fossil fuel power production.
The first-year net clean energy benefits equate to offsetting approximately 8,270,000 car miles driven or the clean air benefits realized from planting 976,520 trees. With a system life expectancy of 25 years, the scope of this project will yield major cumulative life-cycle environmental offsets.
“The Aerojet Solar Advantage Program is a significant addition to both our sustainability initiative and our employee benefits offering,” said Scott Neish, President of Aerojet.
“By providing our Sacramento employees with access to discounted solar systems for their homes, we are extending to them our Company’s commitment to solar energy solutions, while also providing them with a deeply discounted hedge against rising electricity costs. This program is a win-win for all involved.”
Under the sustainability initiative, Aerojet has decreased the Company’s carbon footprint by instituting initiatives to track and improve energy usage and transportation practices, and is implementing conservation measures and recycling programs at many of their facilities across the country.
Aerojet has also established a sustainability council comprised of employees from all Aerojet locations to evolve the sustainability program.
“We are not aware of another employee program like this in the US,” said Steve Kircher, CEO of Solar Power. “It is a pleasure to work with a forward thinking company like Aerojet to develop and launch this innovative program.
"As more businesses around the world follow their example and adopt sustainability initiatives, providing employees access to discounted renewable energy to power their homes will no doubt become a more widely implemented form of employee benefit.”
Installation of Aerojet’s 3.5 megawatt system is now underway and on track for completion in November of this year.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Eltek Valere brings solar power to wireless, broadband telecom networks
DRAMMEN, NORWAY: Eltek Valere announced a new solar converter that makes solar power an even more viable option for remote wireless cell sites or broadband telecom applications. The company’s new Flatpack2 HE Solar delivers unrivaled performance in terms of energy efficiency, heat loss, solar panel utilization, lightning/surge protection, modularity and reliability.
Four to six solar panels are connected to each Flatpack2 HE Solar converter, which converts the solar power into controlled 48VDC for supply to telecom equipment. The centre of the solution is the advanced Smartpack monitoring and control unit that optimizes the system with regard to battery performance, network management, diesel consumption on hybrid sites as well as controlling additional Flatpack2 HE rectifiers where applicable.
The power output from solar panels varies depending on time of the day, shading effects, weather conditions and seasonal position of the sun. A traditional ‘direct feed’ telecom system typically only utilizes 70% of the panel’s available power output and does not provide isolation between the panels and the telecom equipment.
To reach 100% panel utilization, the Flatpack2 HE Solar converter features maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology to generate maximum power from the solar panels under all conditions. The converter regularly scans the panels to ensure peak output during changing conditions.
The solar charger is based on Eltek Valere’s High Efficiency (HE) technology, which delivers 96 percent power conversion efficiency across the whole load range. This is the highest power efficiency today and cuts the power conversion losses in half compared to conventional technology –- finally making solar power a green and profitable alternative for the future of communications.
“The features, intelligence and efficiency that we’ve built into the Flatpack2 HE Solar converter makes solar solutions ‘telecom-ready’ and eliminates the obstacles that have kept carriers from rolling it out in their networks. The solution provides an unrivaled technical and commercial solution to expand communication to areas without access to reliable commercial power,” said Morten Schoyen, Eltek Valere chief marketing officer. “We’ve been able to leverage our exclusive HE technology and other key features to help solar power deliver for carriers.”
The Flatpack2 HE Solar converter is suitable for all telecom applications in both autonomous (solar only) or hybrid solar power applications. The converter integrates with Flatpack2 rectifier systems in combination with the advanced Smartpack monitoring and control unit in a unique solution managing the power from all different sources, such as solar, grid and generator.
Galvanic isolation between solar panels and batteries/telecom equipment provides high level of surge protection and reliability.
The Flatpack2 HE Solar converter and corresponding solutions have already been supplied to several carriers and are available from Eltek Valere’s worldwide sales force and offices.
Four to six solar panels are connected to each Flatpack2 HE Solar converter, which converts the solar power into controlled 48VDC for supply to telecom equipment. The centre of the solution is the advanced Smartpack monitoring and control unit that optimizes the system with regard to battery performance, network management, diesel consumption on hybrid sites as well as controlling additional Flatpack2 HE rectifiers where applicable.
The power output from solar panels varies depending on time of the day, shading effects, weather conditions and seasonal position of the sun. A traditional ‘direct feed’ telecom system typically only utilizes 70% of the panel’s available power output and does not provide isolation between the panels and the telecom equipment.
To reach 100% panel utilization, the Flatpack2 HE Solar converter features maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology to generate maximum power from the solar panels under all conditions. The converter regularly scans the panels to ensure peak output during changing conditions.
The solar charger is based on Eltek Valere’s High Efficiency (HE) technology, which delivers 96 percent power conversion efficiency across the whole load range. This is the highest power efficiency today and cuts the power conversion losses in half compared to conventional technology –- finally making solar power a green and profitable alternative for the future of communications.
“The features, intelligence and efficiency that we’ve built into the Flatpack2 HE Solar converter makes solar solutions ‘telecom-ready’ and eliminates the obstacles that have kept carriers from rolling it out in their networks. The solution provides an unrivaled technical and commercial solution to expand communication to areas without access to reliable commercial power,” said Morten Schoyen, Eltek Valere chief marketing officer. “We’ve been able to leverage our exclusive HE technology and other key features to help solar power deliver for carriers.”
The Flatpack2 HE Solar converter is suitable for all telecom applications in both autonomous (solar only) or hybrid solar power applications. The converter integrates with Flatpack2 rectifier systems in combination with the advanced Smartpack monitoring and control unit in a unique solution managing the power from all different sources, such as solar, grid and generator.
Galvanic isolation between solar panels and batteries/telecom equipment provides high level of surge protection and reliability.
The Flatpack2 HE Solar converter and corresponding solutions have already been supplied to several carriers and are available from Eltek Valere’s worldwide sales force and offices.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Solar at the heart of utility corporate strategy!
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Solar at the Heart of Utility Corporate Strategy" report to its offering.
The development of solar power is proceeding at a strong pace, yet necessary technological breakthroughs must now come from solar component manufacturers for the sector to undergo exponential growth. As the technology draws near grid parity, involvement from the major utilities as a source of significant demand will be of paramount importance.
* Market segmentation data, annual and cumulative solar cell production data, regional and national production shares and top 10 global cell producers.
* Solar installed capacity data for major US and European utilities and detailed market/technology/regulatory/company operational and financial drivers.
* An overview the drivers and implications of the current solar industry trends towards manufacture consolidation and vertical integration.
* Forecasts of annual/cumulative solar capacities and market growth potentials for utilities seeking to develop their solar strategy (13 key markets).
Manufacturing growth along the solar value chain has been dramatic by any standards: 2008 saw further large increases in solar production capacity, diversification of manufacturing locations and shifts in leadership. With new companies and fresh markets wrestling for prominence strong industry consolidation and vertical integration is now expected.
So far, solar manufacturers rather than established energy companies are exploiting opportunities presented by the fast-expanding market. Indeed, European utilities have largely shunned the solar market. However, European utilities will quickly become the largest and one of the most important customers for the solar industry.
India is emerging as an aspiring producer of solar technologies with the infrastructure to support utility-scale involvement. European utilities seeking to diversify into solar should also turn their attention to Italy's solar market, but also Germanys, which is expected to reclaim the number one spot as the most mature solar market worldwide.
The development of solar power is proceeding at a strong pace, yet necessary technological breakthroughs must now come from solar component manufacturers for the sector to undergo exponential growth. As the technology draws near grid parity, involvement from the major utilities as a source of significant demand will be of paramount importance.
* Market segmentation data, annual and cumulative solar cell production data, regional and national production shares and top 10 global cell producers.
* Solar installed capacity data for major US and European utilities and detailed market/technology/regulatory/company operational and financial drivers.
* An overview the drivers and implications of the current solar industry trends towards manufacture consolidation and vertical integration.
* Forecasts of annual/cumulative solar capacities and market growth potentials for utilities seeking to develop their solar strategy (13 key markets).
Manufacturing growth along the solar value chain has been dramatic by any standards: 2008 saw further large increases in solar production capacity, diversification of manufacturing locations and shifts in leadership. With new companies and fresh markets wrestling for prominence strong industry consolidation and vertical integration is now expected.
So far, solar manufacturers rather than established energy companies are exploiting opportunities presented by the fast-expanding market. Indeed, European utilities have largely shunned the solar market. However, European utilities will quickly become the largest and one of the most important customers for the solar industry.
India is emerging as an aspiring producer of solar technologies with the infrastructure to support utility-scale involvement. European utilities seeking to diversify into solar should also turn their attention to Italy's solar market, but also Germanys, which is expected to reclaim the number one spot as the most mature solar market worldwide.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Aerojet, Solar Power announce 3.5 MW solar installation
ROSEVILLE & SACRAMENTO, USA: Aerojet, a GenCorp company, and Solar Power Inc. have entered into an agreement to build a 3.5 megawatt solar system at Aerojet’s Sacramento, California facility. The site is located within the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD).
This is the first solar system Aerojet has installed and it is a significant part of the company’s environmental and sustainability initiatives. During its first year of use, the Aerojet system is expected to offset approximately 4,200 tons of carbon dioxide, 16.7 tons of sulfur dioxide and approximately 6.5 tons of nitrogen oxide that would have otherwise been produced using fossil fuel power production.
The first-year net clean energy benefits equate to offsetting approximately 8,270,000 car miles driven or the clean air benefits realized from planting 976,520 trees. With a system life expectancy of 25 years, the cumulative life-cycle environmental offsets for a system of this scope are significant.
All of the power generated by the system will be utilized by Aerojet operations. “The electricity created by this solar facility provides over 20% of the power required to operate our extensive groundwater remediation program,” said Scott Neish, president of Aerojet. “This initiative is a major step in our efforts to help the environment, reduce our carbon footprint, and return approximately 20 acres of our significant land holdings in the Sacramento area to beneficial use.”
The solar array will be ground mounted utilizing a single-axis tracking system, designed to follow the course of the sun throughout the day to maximize electricity production. The solar array will consist of approximately 18,000 SPI 200 watt modules mounted atop 12 tracking arrays, covering more than 20 acres of the Aerojet site, which is located approximately 10 miles from the California state capitol.
“During the RFP process we competed with most of the major U.S. solar firms for this project. We are very proud to have been selected and we look forward to working with the Aerojet and SMUD teams throughout the project’s execution,” said Steve Kircher, CEO of Solar Power, Inc.
“The Aerojet installation will be one of the largest single-site industrial installations in the US, and to have it take place here, in close proximity to our international headquarters, where so many of our employees live makes it even more important to us. The system will serve Aerojet and our community; it will be installed by people from our region and will help to improve our environment.”
Installation of the 3.5 megawatt system is expected to be completed in November of this year. SMUD is scheduled to interconnect the system to the power grid in November as well. “SMUD is a utility solar pioneer here to provide energy solutions and a sustainable energy future for our customers,” said John DiStasio, SMUD general manager and CEO. “We look forward to working with both Solar Power and Aerojet as this project comes to fruition.”
This is the first solar system Aerojet has installed and it is a significant part of the company’s environmental and sustainability initiatives. During its first year of use, the Aerojet system is expected to offset approximately 4,200 tons of carbon dioxide, 16.7 tons of sulfur dioxide and approximately 6.5 tons of nitrogen oxide that would have otherwise been produced using fossil fuel power production.
The first-year net clean energy benefits equate to offsetting approximately 8,270,000 car miles driven or the clean air benefits realized from planting 976,520 trees. With a system life expectancy of 25 years, the cumulative life-cycle environmental offsets for a system of this scope are significant.
All of the power generated by the system will be utilized by Aerojet operations. “The electricity created by this solar facility provides over 20% of the power required to operate our extensive groundwater remediation program,” said Scott Neish, president of Aerojet. “This initiative is a major step in our efforts to help the environment, reduce our carbon footprint, and return approximately 20 acres of our significant land holdings in the Sacramento area to beneficial use.”
The solar array will be ground mounted utilizing a single-axis tracking system, designed to follow the course of the sun throughout the day to maximize electricity production. The solar array will consist of approximately 18,000 SPI 200 watt modules mounted atop 12 tracking arrays, covering more than 20 acres of the Aerojet site, which is located approximately 10 miles from the California state capitol.
“During the RFP process we competed with most of the major U.S. solar firms for this project. We are very proud to have been selected and we look forward to working with the Aerojet and SMUD teams throughout the project’s execution,” said Steve Kircher, CEO of Solar Power, Inc.
“The Aerojet installation will be one of the largest single-site industrial installations in the US, and to have it take place here, in close proximity to our international headquarters, where so many of our employees live makes it even more important to us. The system will serve Aerojet and our community; it will be installed by people from our region and will help to improve our environment.”
Installation of the 3.5 megawatt system is expected to be completed in November of this year. SMUD is scheduled to interconnect the system to the power grid in November as well. “SMUD is a utility solar pioneer here to provide energy solutions and a sustainable energy future for our customers,” said John DiStasio, SMUD general manager and CEO. “We look forward to working with both Solar Power and Aerojet as this project comes to fruition.”
Monday, June 1, 2009
Solar Power helps LA go green with clean solar power
MILL VALLEY, USA: Solar Power Partners Inc. (SPPTM), America’s premier independent solar power producer, today officially announced that several of its solar energy facilities in the Los Angeles area are in full commercial operation and generating electricity.
The solar energy facilities include a 238.68 kW system at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena; a 601.02 kW system at BT’s North America corporate headquarters offices in El Segundo; and Safeway Inc.’s Vons grocery stores in Monrovia (230.09 kW), Oxnard (187.53 kW), Corona (204.82 kW), and Murrieta (198.17 kW).
Each solar facility was financed and developed using a solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), a long-term energy financing solution that helps customers go green without the hassles or costs of solar facility ownership, operations, or maintenance.
A solar PPA allows SPP’s host customers to pay only for the energy produced by the system, while SPP, alone and/or through its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and maintains the system for the length of the agreement, usually over twenty years. SPP’s host customers can enjoy predictable energy rates for the life of their agreement.
“Thanks to our partnership with Solar Power Partners, BT is now not only significantly reducing carbon emissions -- we’re realizing reduced power costs for our site as well as helping our company fulfill its very ambitious corporate social responsibility goals,” said Jon Reiter, Senior Director, Major Transactions, BT Americas.
As noted by Bill Irwin, Senior Director of Facility Management at Caltech, “SPP’s experience making solar power attainable for schools and universities makes for a great long-term partnership.”
“SPP is proud to be a part of solar energy initiatives by leading corporations and universities in the greater Los Angeles Area, the regional market with possibly the greatest potential for distributed commercial solar applications throughout America. Our projects with Caltech, BT, and Safeway are excellent examples of how solar Power Purchase Agreements enable entities to embrace solar energy without any of the operational hassle of owning a power plant,” said Alexander v. Welczeck, President and CEO, Solar Power Partners.
SPP’s dedicated asset management team operates each facility using web-based monitoring technology, which provides performance data every 15 minutes and operation alerts as necessary. SPP manages all aspects of preventative maintenance and repairs when needed.
The Caltech solar system features a 238.68 kW sized fixed rooftop array on the Holliston parking garage. The system’s estimated annual solar-generated electricity eliminates 527,000 pounds of CO2 emissions from the air, which is equivalent to removing 46 cars from operation, planting 72 acres of trees, or powering 38 average homes annually.
The system at BT’s office building in El Segundo is a 601 kW fixed rooftop and elevated system, including a tracking system over the main parking lot. The tracking modules move during the day to follow the sun, thereby increasing energy production. The system is expected to generate approximately one million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable electricity each year, which will reduce carbon emissions by 700,000 pounds (more than 316 metric tons) annually, helping the company fulfill its global goals for sustainability.
The four Safeway stores in Monrovia, Oxnard, Corona, and Murrieta total 820.61 kW in size, and are all fixed rooftop systems. Combined, these systems are estimated to produce enough solar-generated electricity to eliminate 973 metric tons of CO2 emissions from the air, or to power 88.5 average homes annually, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency calculator.
Financing of the solar facilities was partially provided by Bank of America in the form of a tax equity investment and Energy Investors Funds through their United States Power Fund III, L.P.
The solar energy facilities include a 238.68 kW system at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena; a 601.02 kW system at BT’s North America corporate headquarters offices in El Segundo; and Safeway Inc.’s Vons grocery stores in Monrovia (230.09 kW), Oxnard (187.53 kW), Corona (204.82 kW), and Murrieta (198.17 kW).
Each solar facility was financed and developed using a solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), a long-term energy financing solution that helps customers go green without the hassles or costs of solar facility ownership, operations, or maintenance.
A solar PPA allows SPP’s host customers to pay only for the energy produced by the system, while SPP, alone and/or through its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and maintains the system for the length of the agreement, usually over twenty years. SPP’s host customers can enjoy predictable energy rates for the life of their agreement.
“Thanks to our partnership with Solar Power Partners, BT is now not only significantly reducing carbon emissions -- we’re realizing reduced power costs for our site as well as helping our company fulfill its very ambitious corporate social responsibility goals,” said Jon Reiter, Senior Director, Major Transactions, BT Americas.
As noted by Bill Irwin, Senior Director of Facility Management at Caltech, “SPP’s experience making solar power attainable for schools and universities makes for a great long-term partnership.”
“SPP is proud to be a part of solar energy initiatives by leading corporations and universities in the greater Los Angeles Area, the regional market with possibly the greatest potential for distributed commercial solar applications throughout America. Our projects with Caltech, BT, and Safeway are excellent examples of how solar Power Purchase Agreements enable entities to embrace solar energy without any of the operational hassle of owning a power plant,” said Alexander v. Welczeck, President and CEO, Solar Power Partners.
SPP’s dedicated asset management team operates each facility using web-based monitoring technology, which provides performance data every 15 minutes and operation alerts as necessary. SPP manages all aspects of preventative maintenance and repairs when needed.
The Caltech solar system features a 238.68 kW sized fixed rooftop array on the Holliston parking garage. The system’s estimated annual solar-generated electricity eliminates 527,000 pounds of CO2 emissions from the air, which is equivalent to removing 46 cars from operation, planting 72 acres of trees, or powering 38 average homes annually.
The system at BT’s office building in El Segundo is a 601 kW fixed rooftop and elevated system, including a tracking system over the main parking lot. The tracking modules move during the day to follow the sun, thereby increasing energy production. The system is expected to generate approximately one million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable electricity each year, which will reduce carbon emissions by 700,000 pounds (more than 316 metric tons) annually, helping the company fulfill its global goals for sustainability.
The four Safeway stores in Monrovia, Oxnard, Corona, and Murrieta total 820.61 kW in size, and are all fixed rooftop systems. Combined, these systems are estimated to produce enough solar-generated electricity to eliminate 973 metric tons of CO2 emissions from the air, or to power 88.5 average homes annually, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency calculator.
Financing of the solar facilities was partially provided by Bank of America in the form of a tax equity investment and Energy Investors Funds through their United States Power Fund III, L.P.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
PG&E, BrightSource sign record solar power deal
SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has entered into a series of contracts with BrightSource Energy, Inc. for a total of 1,310 megawatts (MW) of solar thermal power.
These power purchase agreements, covering seven projects, supersede the agreements PG&E executed with BrightSource in April 2008 for up to 900 MW of solar thermal power.
The first of these solar power plants, sized at 110 MW and located in Ivanpah, Calif., is contracted to begin operation in 2012. BrightSource will build and place in commercial operation each of its plants as quickly as permitting and infrastructure allow. All seven projects are expected to produce 3,666 gigawatt-hours of power each year, equal to the annual consumption of about 530,000 average homes.
“The solar thermal projects announced today exemplify PG&E’s commitment to increasing the amount of renewable energy we provide to our customers throughout northern and central California,” said John Conway, senior vice president of energy supply for PG&E. “Through these agreements with BrightSource, we can harness the sun’s energy to meet our customers’ power requirements when they need it most – during hot summer days.”
“Today’s agreements reflect the technological milestones that the BrightSource Energy team has achieved over the past year,” said John Woolard, CEO of BrightSource Energy. “Our technology is setting the bar for efficient production of solar energy. We’re thrilled by the opportunity to help PG&E and other leaders bring energy customers more clean and reliable solar energy.”
Since 2002, PG&E has entered into contracts for more than 20 percent of its future electric power deliveries from renewable sources. On average, half of the electricity PG&E delivers to its customers comes from carbon-free generating sources, making the company’s energy among the cleanest in the nation.
These power purchase agreements, covering seven projects, supersede the agreements PG&E executed with BrightSource in April 2008 for up to 900 MW of solar thermal power.
The first of these solar power plants, sized at 110 MW and located in Ivanpah, Calif., is contracted to begin operation in 2012. BrightSource will build and place in commercial operation each of its plants as quickly as permitting and infrastructure allow. All seven projects are expected to produce 3,666 gigawatt-hours of power each year, equal to the annual consumption of about 530,000 average homes.
“The solar thermal projects announced today exemplify PG&E’s commitment to increasing the amount of renewable energy we provide to our customers throughout northern and central California,” said John Conway, senior vice president of energy supply for PG&E. “Through these agreements with BrightSource, we can harness the sun’s energy to meet our customers’ power requirements when they need it most – during hot summer days.”
“Today’s agreements reflect the technological milestones that the BrightSource Energy team has achieved over the past year,” said John Woolard, CEO of BrightSource Energy. “Our technology is setting the bar for efficient production of solar energy. We’re thrilled by the opportunity to help PG&E and other leaders bring energy customers more clean and reliable solar energy.”
Since 2002, PG&E has entered into contracts for more than 20 percent of its future electric power deliveries from renewable sources. On average, half of the electricity PG&E delivers to its customers comes from carbon-free generating sources, making the company’s energy among the cleanest in the nation.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Low-cost solar now available to Arizona homeowners
SCOTTSDALE, USA: American Solar Electric, a leading Arizona-based design-build firm specializing in solar electric power systems, and SunRun announced a new way for homeowners to get residential solar power in Arizona without feeling the pain of high upfront cost.
Arizona homeowners can now have their home solar systems installed before summer utility rates increase with the summer temperatures.
The American Solar Electric and SunRun partnership gives homeowners a more affordable alternative to purchasing an American Solar Electric system outright. With SunRun's solar lease, Arizona customers can now get an American Solar Electric system for as little as $1,000 upfront, and realize cost savings on their monthly electricity bills immediately.
SunRun also provides complete monitoring, maintenance, repairs, insurance and performance guarantee for all its customers, simplifying the process of going solar for homeowners.
SunRun, launched in California in 2007, has seen exponential growth over the past two years, and become a popular option for hundreds of homeowners there. In November 2008, US Bancorp committed project financing for up to $105 million in solar facilities to SunRun, and SunRun is now bringing its low upfront solar pricing and high-quality service for residential solar customers in Arizona.
SunRun, which partners with leading local solar companies who design and install systems for its customers, has selected American Solar Electric as its partner for its first expansion beyond California.
Arizona homeowners can now have their home solar systems installed before summer utility rates increase with the summer temperatures.
The American Solar Electric and SunRun partnership gives homeowners a more affordable alternative to purchasing an American Solar Electric system outright. With SunRun's solar lease, Arizona customers can now get an American Solar Electric system for as little as $1,000 upfront, and realize cost savings on their monthly electricity bills immediately.
SunRun also provides complete monitoring, maintenance, repairs, insurance and performance guarantee for all its customers, simplifying the process of going solar for homeowners.
SunRun, launched in California in 2007, has seen exponential growth over the past two years, and become a popular option for hundreds of homeowners there. In November 2008, US Bancorp committed project financing for up to $105 million in solar facilities to SunRun, and SunRun is now bringing its low upfront solar pricing and high-quality service for residential solar customers in Arizona.
SunRun, which partners with leading local solar companies who design and install systems for its customers, has selected American Solar Electric as its partner for its first expansion beyond California.
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