FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2012 Photovoltaic Projects of Distinction Award Presented to Arizona Western College and PPA Partners for their landmark Five-Megawatt Multi-Technology Solar Installation and Program.

San Jose, California, March 21, 2012 –The 5MW multi-technology solar installation at Arizona Western College (AWC) in Yuma, AZ was recognized Wednesday morning by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) as one of the three most unique photovoltaic projects of  2012.  The announcement and ceremony took place at PV America’s annual conference in San Jose, CA.

This system is composed of five one-megawatt sites across the campus, and will offset nearly 100% of the campus’s daytime electricity, while saving the College approximately $62 Million over the lifetime of the contract.

“This prestigious award shows what is possible on our nations Community College Campuses. Having our project recognized with this award proves what a resource our Community Colleges truly are. When complete the AWC Solar Program will provide opportunities for community involvement, valuable research, data and curriculum support for the School and for Arizona. Furthermore, additional incubation sites that new and existing technologies can access will be available for them to measure their performance under Yuma and Arizona’s amazing Solar Resource.” said Bruce Mercy CEO of PPA Partners after the award ceremony.

“These are exciting times for the U.S. solar industry and the recipients of these awards exemplify energy innovation at its best,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA. More than 84 projects were evaluated by a panel of independent judges, determining the uniqueness and collective benefit to the community. Judges also looked for innovative use of policy and financing to enhance the project’s impact, according to SEPA and SEIA.

The project was financed and will be owned throughout the 30 year contract by Mainstreet Power, and was constructed by Rosendin Electric.

The installation was facilitated by the APS Renewable Energy Incentive Program, which offers financial incentives to residential and commercial customers.  The Program is funded by APS customers and approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission.

The technologies include CPV panels from SolFocus and GreenVolts, Thin Film panels from Sharp Solar, Mono Crystalline panels from SolarWorld and Poly Crystalline panels from Suntech. The system will utilize single-axis trackers from SunEdison and dual-axis trackers from SolFocus and GreenVolts; the tracking systems allow the panels to continually track the movement of the sun in order to maximize electricity generation. The system utilizes Satcon Inverters.

PPA Partners LLC is a project developer of distributed generation solar programs across North America, specializing in Colleges and Universities interested in saving on their Energy bills, and creating unique learning and revenue generation opportunities.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lori Stofft
Director, Public Relations and Marketing
Arizona Western College
Office: +1 928-314-9595
Cell: +1 928-246-4834
Email:Lori.stofft@azwestern.edu

www.azwestern.edu

AWC Solar Array Groundbreaking Ceremony

Join Arizona Western College in a groundbreaking ceremony for an innovative 5 MW Solar Array to be completed Fall 2011.
This first-of-its-kind array is a landmark project for AWC, Yuma, and Arizona.

Date:

Tuesday,  May 24, 2011

Location:

Arizona Western College
24th Street Entrance, P1 Parking Lot
Yuma, AZ

Agenda:

7:45 Media Registration

8:15 Ceremony

8:45 Breakfast Reception with Vendor Demonstrations, Schoening Conference Center, 3C

This 5 MW array will generate virtually 100% of the college’s daytime electricity needs and will serve as a world-class research and testing site for government and corporate application. Educational and workforce training opportunities for students from Elementary to University will enhance our community and support ongoing economic development.

Why Solar?

According to the “Guinness Book of World Records”, Yuma, Arizona is the sunniest place on earth. This, along with ample land and access to west coast  markets makes Yuma the best place to install the single largest solar array on any U.S. college or university campus.

Combined with the existing rooftop array on the AWC Agriculture and Science building, the total solar installation at the college will be 5 megawatts, and will generate enough energy to cover virtually 100% of the college’s daytime energy needs.

The new 4.995 megawatt array will serve as a foundation for local education and workforce development in renewable energy technology and engineering. The main array will be joined by multiple testing and demonstration sites for manufacturers from around the world to test their latest products.

Array Characteristics

• Energy Generation, Education, Research and Innovation
• Multiple Photovoltaic Technologies, including
  • High Concentration
  • Low Concentration
  • Mono Crystalline
  • Poly Crystalline
  • Thin Film
• Single and dual axis tracking
• State-of-the-art metering and inverter technology
• Private test beds
• Level playing field – consistent test platform

Curriculum

Currently in place:

• First Installer Class graduated Spring 2011
• Green technology embedded curriculum in science, engineering, and career and technical programs
• AWC is working with local high schools and the local workforce development organization to deliver a weatherization program

Planned:

• Cutting edge solar technology curriculum that will include the campus PV array and testing facilities as learning laboratories
• Certificates and degrees in solar technology and solar installation are currently under development with additional classes anticipated to begin spring 2011
• Associate in science degree in renewable energy with transfer pathways to the baccalaureate degree beginning fall 2011

Campus Map with Planned Solar Deployment

Planned solar deployments in orange.

Existing Rooftop Array

• 105.6 kilowatts
• Located on the roof of the AWC Ag & Science Complex
• Data available online, used by K-12 educators around the region
• Photo album here

Download the Solar Array Information Sheet

For more information:

Technical Questions:

Bill Smith, Director of Facilities Management and Planning

928-314-9472

bill.smith@azwestern.edu

Media Requests and Tours:

Lori Stofft, Director of Marketing & Public Relations

928-314-9595

lori.stofft@azwestern.edu

Project Partners:

The US Congress has released a draft bill that would provide tax credits for manufacturers of renewable energy equipment and funding for other sources of clean energy.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander Levin, D-Mich., unveiled the draft legislation which aims to encourage domestic manufacturing of energy equipment and renewable fuel development.

The proposed legislation would modify the Section 48C advanced manufacturing tax credit to provide an uncapped 30 percent investment tax credit for expenditures to re-equip, expand or modify facilities that manufacture and fabricate solar energy property, fuel cell power plants, and advanced energy storage systems (including batteries for advanced vehicles).

The proposal would extend for two years (through 2012) and codify the direct payment in lieu of tax credit program that was initially created by Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for renewable energy facilities (e.g., wind, solar, and biomass facilities), combined heat and power facilities, fuel cells and microturbines that qualify for the production tax credit and investment tax credit. Among other technical improvements, the proposal would clarify that real estate investment trusts may participate in the program.

Under current law, residential fuel cells are eligible for a 30 percent investment tax credit (capped at $1,000 per kilowatt hour of capacity). Commercial fuel cells are eligible for a 30 percent investment tax credit (capped at $3,000 per kilowatt hour of capacity). The proposal would harmonize the capacity limitation of residential fuel cells to the capacity limitation of commercial fuel cells (i.e., $3,000 per kilowatt hour of capacity). Furthermore, the proposal would allow micro-combined heat and power systems to qualify for the 30 percent investment tax credit for residential energy efficient property.

The proposal would also extend the 50 percent investment tax credit for alternative vehicle refueling property for three years (through 2013). The proposal would also make modifications clarifying the availability of this credit for electric vehicle refueling pump property and for property that fuels non-motor vehicles that run on hydrogen fuel cells.

Source: Fuel Cell Today

California, United States — Rosendin Electric will break ground this week on a new photovoltaic power installation project for the Antelope Valley Union High School District. This 9.4-megawatt (MW) installation spans 10 schools and is the largest school solar project undertaken in California to date.

The Rosendin Electric Solar Division has been contracted to support engineering for the US $50 million Antelope Valley UHSD solar project, as well as assuming full responsibility for procurement and construction.

“With the addition of the Antelope Valley contract, Rosendin Electric becomes one of the largest solar distributed generation EPC contractors in the West,” said Duncan Frederick, director of solar operations for Rosendin Electric. “We have always been committed to delivering alternative energy solutions, and we have an unprecedented track record in wind farm installation. With the addition of this project to our portfolio of solar projects installed over the past year, we are quickly building the same reputation for delivering solar power.”

Rosendin Electric recently completed the installation of a 1.2-MW solar array at the Mineta San Jose International Airport with partner Canadian Solar, and is in the process of completing similar projects for the Hollister Wastewater Treatment Project, Hollister Unified School District, San Ysidro School District and the Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona. Rosendin Electric will also  complete a 5-MW solar project for the Sunset Reservoir in San Francisco within the next two months.