Industry News

Spectrolab Solar Cells Power Mars Exploration Vehicles

High-efficiency solar cells manufactured by Spectrolab, a Boeing subsidiary, are providing power to Spirit and Opportunity , the two NASA-built rovers that landed on Mars last month. Spectrolab supplied Improved Triple Junction (ITJ) solar cells for the two spacecraft. The triple-junction cells employ a three-layered structure that effectively captures and converts solar energy into electricity. Each of the junctions converts a different portion of the solar spectrum into electricity.

Each rover's first action was to unfold its solar-array panels, allowing the solar panels to recharge the rover's batteries. The solar panels were folded to fit inside the rovers for the trip to Mars. Once on the Martian surface, the solar panels were deployed to form a total area of 1.3 square meters of triple-junction solar cells. The solar cells will power all the activities and instruments of the spacecraft.

Florida Power & Light Offers Sunshine Energy Program for Residential Customers

Florida Power & Light Company has received final approval from the Florida Public Service Commission to offer its 3.6 million residential customers an opportunity to enroll in a new program called Sunshine Energy. Starting this month, customers can enroll in the program offered as a choice for those who want to support cleaner, renewable electric generation and reduce the demand for electricity generated from fossil fuels.

When customers choose FPL's Sunshine Energy they will opt to pay approximately $9.75 extra each month to ensure 1,000 kilowatt hours of cleaner electricity is produced by generators serving Florida and other states nationwide. Sources include wind, solar and bio-energy.

FPL has committed to provide 150 kilowatts of solar capacity in Florida for every 10,000 customers who enroll in the green energy program. Each 150 kilowatts of solar capacity will generate enough pollution-free electricity to avoid about 160 tons of carbon dioxide each year—as much as a car would produce if driven approximately 365,000 miles.

Auto Center Plans Largest PV System on Kauai

King Auto Center of Lihue is planning to install what will be the largest solar electric system on Kauai. ProVision Technologies will be installing the photovoltaic system. "We want to do our part to support forms of clean, alternative energy. With our high electric rates in Hawaii, this kind of investment pays for itself in a relatively short amount of time," said Charlie King, owner of King Auto Center.

Most of the PV systems in the Hawaiian Islands are installed in the rural areas not supplied by the electricity grid. However, this 25-kilowatt system will be connected to the power grid and will offset a portion of the car dealer's monthly electric bill.

Presently, the largest PV system in the Hawaiian Islands is at the Mauna Lani Resort. The Mauna Lani is located on the Hawaii's Kohala Coast. Mauna Lani Resort's solar installations include a 100 kW solar electric system on the hotel roof, a 140 kW system to power the resort's golf facility and a 288 kW ground mounted system for The Mauna Lani.

Largest Community College PV Installation to be Supplied by WorldWater

WorldWater Corp., a solar engineering and water management company, will supply a one-megawatt PV system for Ridgecrest, Calif.-based Cerro Coso Community College's solar photovoltaic construction project. The selection was made by Contra Costa Electric Company of Bakersfield, Calif., which won the contract from the Kern Community College District.

The full construction contract amount, payable to Contra Costa Electric Co., is $8.96 million for the program, by far the largest such system for a community college. The overall project is projected for completion in June 2004.

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