Solar Industry Announces Awards for Major Achievements and Excellence at PV America West
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21 Mar 2012
- Published on Wednesday, 21 March 2012 13:20
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Three Western Region Projects Awarded the 2012 Photovoltaic Projects of Distinction Awards
SAN JOSE, CALIF., March 21, 2012 –The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) announced the three winners of the 2012 Photovoltaic Projects of Distinction Awards today at PV America West in San Jose, Calif. Recognizing major achievements in U.S. PV solar energy, the awards were presented to Arizona Western College Solar Installation, Yuma, Ariz.; Clean Energy Collective Community-Owned Solar Farm, Holy Cross Energy, Garfield County Airport, Rifle, Colo.; and the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ-9) Complex at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, Calif.
More than 84 submissions were evaluated by an independent panel of judges representing associations, consultants, distributors, government, integrators, manufacturers and utilities. To qualify for the awards, all projects had to be operational and demonstrate a collective benefit to the community and innovative use of policy and financing to enhance the project’s impact.
“There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the solar industry. The recipients of these awards exemplify the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that drives growth in the U.S. market,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. “From community-based solar to schools and military facilities, these remarkable projects show that solar is working and Americans have more options than ever before to go solar. We are very pleased to present these awards and congratulate our three winners for their achievements and excellence in PV solar energy.”
“It is very important that we continue to acknowledge new innovation in PV and the successful completion of solar projects now and in the future,” said Julia Hamm, president and CEO of SEPA. “Our three winners demonstrate the viability and versatility of PV installations as well as the benefits they bring to their local communities. The Arizona Western College Solar Installation not only offsets 100 percent of the campus’ daytime electricity needs but brings together five different solar technologies. At the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ-9) Complex, PV models were creatively mounted in usable areas, creating dual-purpose structures. Through the Clean Energy Collective and Holy Cross Energy partnership, the Clean Energy Collective Community-Owned Solar Farm makes PV solar energy accessible to everyone on the grid by giving citizens the opportunity to own individual panels.”
The winning projects are:
Arizona Western College Solar Installation, Yuma, Ariz.
Arizona Western College (AWC) campus is home to a 5MW solar installation that not only offsets 100 percent of AWC’s daytime electricity needs but brings together five different solar technologies (1 MW each) to a community college that now offers a solar technology curriculum, and draws R&D students and researchers from around the world. This solar installation, which is the third largest solar installation on a community college campus, includes concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems with dual-axis trackers from SolFocus and GreenVolts, thin film panels from Sharp Solar, monocrystalline panels from SolarWorld, polycrystalline panels from Suntech, and single-axis trackers from SunEdison. Unlike any other college campus, AWC has integrated a diverse set of solar technologies for students and faculty to monitor and this installation is poised to become a leader in renewable energy technology and education.
Financing for this installation was made possible through financial incentives from the Arizona Public Service (APS) Renewable Energy Incentive Program, allowing AWC to defray nearly half the cost of the system. Developed and operated by Main Street Power, a solar financier, with backing from MS Solar Solutions Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, this installation is poised to become a leader in renewable energy technology and education. Over the next 10 years, AWC will save an estimated $3.5 million in energy savings, $15.4 million over 20 years, and the project could be worth $62 million over 30 years.
"Watching our campus be transformed by the construction of these five distinct solar arrays was an amazing experience for our students and staff. Having completed the project, we are optimistic about the benefits it will have, not only for our faculty and students, but as an economic catalyst for the entire region. We believe this solar installation can be a model for other institutions across the country, combining energy savings with workforce development and technology testing. This award will help us tell that story to a broader audience," stated Dr. Glenn Mayle, President of Arizona Western College.
Clean Energy Collective Community-Owned Solar Farm, Holy Cross Energy, Garfield County Airport, Rifle, Colo.
The Clean Energy Collective (CEC) partnered with Holy Cross Energy (HCE) to offer the nation’s first customer-owned community solar program which passes on the value of the Federal Investment Tax Credit to consumers to reduce the cost of the equipment up front. HCE customers actually own the individual panels in the local “solar farm” and are able to see the full economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy without having solar panels on their own properties.
In June of 2011, CEC opened the Garfield County Airport Solar Array, an 858 kW facility in Rifle, Colo., the largest community-owned solar array in the nation-producing over 1,500 MWh of clean, renewable energy each year. The CEC’s proprietary RemoteMeter™ system automatically calculates monthly credits and integrates with existing utility billing systems, enabling all residential and commercial utility customers to easily have clean, renewable power credited on their monthly utility bills, without modifying their home or office.
“The Clean Energy Collective is proud to be recognized by SEIA and SEPA for our community-owned solar garden model. Our mission has always been to move the needle on renewable energy adoption, and we’re very excited by the remarkable success this model is delivering.” Paul Spencer, CEC founder and CEO.
Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ-9) Complex at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Twentynine Palms, Calif.,
Baker Electric Solar, a full-service solar integrator, partnered with Blue Oak Energy, a renewable energy engineering design engineering firm to install a 1.5 megawatt (MW) solar energy system at the new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ- 9) complex at the U. S. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC). The overall BEQ-9 construction project includes three 4-story BEQs (576 two-person rooms), a landmark projection tower, 500-seat outdoor amphitheater and 706-space 4-story parking garage. The challenge was to install the photovoltaic system without placing arrays on the BEQ rooftops. The team mounted modules in usable areas, creating dual-purpose structures while tying into each specific building to qualify for LEED status.
The BEQ-9 solar project features 4,680 SunPower® E19/318 Solar Panels. The four photovoltaic installations generate on-site solar electric power reducing energy costs for the military base while providing premium shading for the two parking areas, amphitheater and recreational park. Advanced 3D-modeling ensured that every module installed is usable, produces power and preserves the architectural aesthetics. The PV system is successfully integrated to the building management system. The weather station, inverters, and system performance meters are all synchronized with the military base central control panel.
“We are privileged to be a recipient of the prestigious Photovoltaic Project of Distinction Award. The BEQ-9 Project is a testament to the importance of advancing the use of solar energy on our military bases. In partnering with Blue Oak Energy the project is an example of combining renewable solar energy with innovative engineering technologies to create dual-purpose structures. The SEIA / SEPA awards program showcases the benefits of developing alternative energy sources for the future, and it is indeed an honor for our teams to be recognized for this achievement,” said Baker Electric Solar President Ted Baker.
“We are tremendously honored to have been a team member on the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base solar project. This award is a meaningful distinction given the excellent projects and volume of installations the solar electric industry is now implementing nationwide. I applaud Ted Baker and his dedicated team at Baker Electric and express my sincere gratitude for engaging Blue Oak Energy on this landmark project.” said Tobin Booth, CEO, Blue Oak Energy.
Presented by SEIA and SEPA, PV America West is a regional Solar Power International event showcasing exhibits from more than 160 companies, and is expected to draw more than 4,000 industry attendees. The show takes place March 19-21, 2012 at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, Calif.
For more information, please visit PV America West 2012.
Upcoming PV America Shows
PV America 2013 East – January 29-31 in Philadelphia
PV America 2013 West – May 14-16 in San Diego
