began installing a 2-MW PV system on a
600,000-square-foot commercial roof in
Fontana, Calif., leased from ProLogis, a warehouse leasing firm based in Denver. SCE
expected to connect the first panels to its
grid in early September, to help meet peak
summer power needs.
First Solar, developer of an advanced thin-film photovoltaic technology, has been
selected as the winning bidder in a competitive solicitation to supply the PV system for
this first installation. Subject to regulatory
approval, during the next five years SCE
plans to install 250 megawatts of solar generating capacity — enough capacity to serve
approximately 162,000 Southern California
homes — on about 150 commercial rooftops.
Decisions have not yet been made on other
building sites or panel suppliers.
SCE asked the California Public Utilities
Commission on March 27 for approval to
commit a total of $875 million to the
utility’s solar project, for a cost per installed
watt of $3.50.
Arizona State University has awarded
energy contracts to Honeywell Building
Systems, Independent Energy Group and
SolEquity to install 2 MW of solar electric
modules on approximately 135,000 square
feet of building rooftop space and some parking structures on its Tempe campus. This
will be the largest deployment of solar power
infrastructure by any U.S. university. The
installation began in August with completion
scheduled for December.
The solar panels will meet up to 7 percent
of campus energy demand. Under a 15-year
power purchase agreement, the system will
generate approximately $425,000 worth of
energy and reduce ASU’s carbon emissions by
2,825 tons per year.
ASU’s solar energy plan now calls for
the installation of up to 7 megawatts on the
Tempe campus, with additional installations on other campuses over the next several years.
GM, Utilities Plan for PHEVs
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
on July 22 announced a research and development collaboration with General Motors and
34 top utilities to accelerate large-scale deployment of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
(PHEVs), a key step in providing the nation’s
drivers an alternative to petroleum fuels.
The collaboration was announced in San
Jose at the Plug-in 2008 Conference. A key
goal will be seamless integration of PHEVs
into the electric grid.
PHEVs use domestically produced electricity delivered through the grid, with a lower cost
to fuel the vehicles than that of petroleum
fuels. Additionally, research released last year
by EPRI and the Natural Resources Defense
Council pointed to the potential of PHEVs to
lower greenhouse gas emissions. The assessment is available at epri-reports.org.
“This research program will help link
a low-carbon generation portfolio and a
smart grid, which in turn will facilitate widespread adoption of electricity as an alternative transportation fuel,” said Arshad Man-soor, EPRI’s vice president of Power Delivery
and Utilization. ●
closer contacts
Overmolded
connectors
make the
difference
• outstanding
environmental
seals
• excellent strain
relief
• unsurpassed
ruggedness
GE, GAF Launch
PV-Roofing Partnership
GE Energy and GAF Materials Corp. on
June 25 announced a strategic alliance to
market solar systems and roofing systems for
commercial and residential customers.
GE Energy and GAF now offer customers
one-stop shopping for roofing and photovoltaic systems. A customer buying a new
roof can have a solar system installed at the
same time.
“Combining the expertise and experience of two companies who are leaders
in their business sectors, this agreement
will help to further advance the use of
solar energy technology in both residential and commercial applications across
North America,” said Victor Abate, vice
president of renewables for GE Energy.
GAF is North America’s largest manufacturer of residential and commercial
roofing, with a nationwide network.
Wiring solutions for
photovoltaic power systems
• overmolded
• high resistance to
mechanical stress
• high degree of
protection IP 68
• excellent strain
relief
• secure grip,
ergonomically-friendly
• optional locking with
securing clip
• pre-assembled and tested, ready-to-plug
cable sets, no need for crimping
Lumberg’s pre-assembled, fully-tested solar
connectors redefine solar panel installation
with easy to handle plug and play technology.
Questions?
USA · Phone + 1 (804) 423 8969
GERMANY · Phone + 49 (0) 23 55 - 83-01
SINGAPORE · Phone + 65 - 67 76 8755
www.lumberg.com/solar
