Industry News

Installation Begins on World's Largest University Solar Electric System

Installation has begun on the largest solar electric system at any university in the world—and one of the largest solar energy systems in the nation, according to PowerLight Corp. Located at California State University, Hayward, in Hayward, Calif., the 1.05 megawatt solar electric system, built by Berkeley-based PowerLight, will deliver approximately 30 percent of the campus' peak electricity demands.

Cal State Hayward's solar system, covering more than 75,600 square feet, will feature rooftop arrays on four of the university's largest buildings. The $7.11 million project will generate roughly 1,450,000 kilowatt hours annually, producing enough electricity in the daytime to power more than 1,000 homes. A total of 5,260 solar tiles will be laid and construction is expected to be completed this month. For more information, visit www.powerlight.com.

Gas Company Gives Record $4.5 Million Award to Marine Base For PV System

Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) recently presented a $4.5 million incentive award—its largest ever—to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command Twenty-nine Palms base for installing one of the largest photovoltaic systems in the United States. The award is funded by the Self Generation Incentive Program, launched in 2001 by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in response to California's electricity crisis. The statewide program encourages qualifying businesses in California to generate their own electricity onsite, thereby increasing the state's supply of electricity. The Gas Company administers this program for customers in its service territory.

The Marine Corps' new photovoltaic system generates about 10 percent of the base's electric needs. Prior to today's award, the largest incentive ever paid under the program in California was $3.6 million for an 800-kilowatt photovoltaic installation in San Diego for the U.S. Navy. For additional information, visit www.socalgas.com.

DTE Energy to Build Hydrogen Energy Pilot Project in Michigan

DTE Energy is planning to build a hydrogen energy pilot project that will model a complete, multi-use hydrogen energy system. DTE Energy is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy, the state of Michigan and the city of Southfield to develop, build and operate the project that will include on-site hydrogen production using biomass and solar power, hydrogen storage and distribution, vehicle fueling, and onsite power production using fuel cell technology. The five-year project will cost $3 million and will produce about 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, in addition to enough compressed hydrogen gas to fuel three vehicles per day. The project will be at Detroit Edison's Southfield Station. To find out more, visit www.dteenergy.com.

La-Z-Boy Gallery Installs Solar Roof

La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries located in Rancho Cordova, Calif., has installed a 30kW, non-penetrating SunRoof FS flat roof photovoltaic (PV) system capable of powering 10-20 average homes. The building's system qualifies for a rebate from Pacific Gas and Electric Company's self-generation incentive program equal to half of the cost. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), through its relationship with the California Energy Commission's (CEC) Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program, reduced the initial cost of the system by contributing $40,000 worth of PV panels to the project. The system has a life expectancy of 25 years, and with the financial incentives in place, has a payback period of approximately seven years.

DTE Energy to Build Hydrogen Energy Pilot Project in Michigan

Last month, Stuart Energy Systems Corp. secured a contract from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), based in Diamond Bar, Calif., for a Hydrogen Energy Station with both vehicle fueling and power generation capabilities (HESfp). Using Stuart Energy's proprietary water electrolysis technology, the HESfp will generate and dispense zero-emission hydrogen fuel to a fleet of AQMD hydrogen-powered vehicles.

In addition to a fuel dispenser for vehicles, the system will feed a 120-kilowatt power system that will use a hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine to generate power. The station, which is expected to be delivered to AQMD's headquarters in early 2004, will represent the first fully integrated, multi-purpose HESfp in California. For more information, visit www.stuartenergy.com.

Robert Redford Opens NRDC Green Building

Last month, actor, director and conservationist Robert Redford joined John Adams, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), to open the national conservation group's new Southern California office, named for Redford and constructed to the highest green building standards. Located in Santa Monica, the building reduces electricity consumption 60 to 75 percent by maximizing natural light and using efficient fixtures and appliances, task lighting, dimmable electronic ballasts, occupancy sensors and extra insulation. In addition, the building uses 60 percent less water than a standard building of its size by capturing and filtering rain, shower and sink water to irrigate landscaping and flush toilets.

Its air conditioning system uses "displacement ventilation," in which cool air is supplied at floor level to displace the hot air, which rises to the ceiling and is extracted from the building. The building also meets 20 percent of its electricity needs through rooftop solar cells. The structure uses only recycled or recyclable materials, and 98 percent of the materials left over from dismantling the original building and constructing the new one were reused or recycled.

The building is being considered by the U.S. Green Building Council for a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Version 2 Platinum green building rating—the highest possible level of sustainable design—and may become the first structure in the United States to achieve this status. For more information, visit www.nrdc.org.

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