"Unsurpassed Experience in Solar PV and Energy Efficiency Measures"
News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PHOTOS AVAILABLE Anderson Union High School District, West Valley High School Puts
The Sun To Work, Commissions largest K-12 Solar Electric System in Northern California.
Spectrum Energy, using Sharp Solar Modules, Delivers 245 kW PV system providing
clean, reliable savings on School District’s utility bills.
Dedication & Open House of Anderson Energy Project September 28. September 12, 2006
Anderson, CA – The Anderson Union High School District (AUHSD) has put in to operation
a 245 kilowatt solar electric (photovoltaic – PV) system and Energy Efficiency Measures
(EEMS) program at their West Valley High School campus. The PV System/EEMs Dedication
and public Open House will be held at the school on September 28 from 9:30 – 11:00AM.
This system is the first phase of a program that will result in over 1 megawatt
of PV systems and extensive EEMs serving the electric needs of the AUHSD schools.
The Anderson Energy Project was designed and provided by Spectrum Energy Development,
Inc., PV modules provided by Sharp Solar and power conversion units provided by
SMA America.
245 kW Solar Electric (PV) System at Anderson West Valley High School Campus. Photo
Credit: Spectrum Energy Development, Inc..
AUHSD Superintendent Randy Palomino states, “I am proud that the District has been
a leader in collaborating with private industry, utilities, and the government to
harness the power of the sun. The fact that the District is doing its share to reduce
the burning of fossil fuels and at the same time cutting the cost of energy in the
District for many years to come, is something future generations will salute and
appreciate.” Principal Karl Stemmler notes that “At a time when more and more people
are coming to realize the sun’s potential as a sure source of reliable and affordable
energy, having this state of the art solar system on our campus, will expose our
students to a new chapter in technology.”
The Anderson Energy Project includes associated major energy efficiency measures
(EEMs), such as a new 50 ton chiller off-setting and energy management system (EMS)
controls recommissioning for improved equipment performance and reduced labor costs.
This PV and Energy Efficiency system qualified for a California Energy Commission
low-interest rate loan and provides substantial savings for the School District.
The system will pay for itself in less than 10 years and provide savings for more
than 30 years.
According to Jacqueline A. Titus, Chief Business Official for the District, “I was
looking for a way to save money for the long term and solar is the way to go. Electricity
rates are not going down.” The $2,013,930 PV system qualified for a $853,930 rebate
from Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) under the California Self-Generation
Incentive Program. “PG&E is proud to have partnered with Anderson Union High
School District and is pleased about the positive impact this rebate will have on
the community and the environment,” said Beverly Alexander, vice president of customer
satisfaction at PG&E. “The district’s success in solar energy demonstrates its
foresight and innovation among California schools.”
Spectrum Energy Development, Inc. (SED) designed the Anderson Energy Project as
the first phase of a multi-phase “solarization” & EEMs program for the District.
The PV system is located at the back of the school property and is composed of racked
arrays with approximately 1,456 high efficiency Sharp Solar PV modules. The power
generated by the PV arrays feed two SMA America inverters that match and control
the power produced by the solar panels with that provided by the electric utility.
The solar-generated electricity feeds the West Valley High School campus and any
excess electricity is fed back to the PG&E grid generating a credit for the
school.
“Forward looking school districts like AUHSD, are showing how to employ clean, renewable
energy in clearly economic ways while leading by example towards cleaner, sustainable
future for all Californians.” said SEI’s CEO Donald E. Osborn. “By generating solar
electricity in conjunction with reduced energy consumption through energy efficiency
measures (EEMs), the Anderson Energy Project at West Valley High School helps offset
expensive, and crucial peak power benefiting all electric customers.” Beyond providing
power when it is most needed, the PV system generates enough electricity for the
school to power the equivalent of over 80 homes while also helping to reduce power
plant emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change. The PV system
will save some 8,780 tons of carbon dioxide emissions or the equivalent of taking
some 2,450 cars off the roadways.
About Anderson Union High School District For over one-hundred years, the Anderson
Union High School District has been committed to preparing responsible, productive,
self-sufficient young adults by providing quality student-centered educational experiences
and opportunities. Through academics, athletics, and activities the AUHSD is “Building
a Character of Confidence for all Students”. The district is located between Red
Bluff and Redding in Northern California.
About Spectrum Energy Development, Inc. ( www.SpectrumEnergyDevelopment.Com ) Spectrum
Energy is a solar & energy services company providing turnkey on-site electrical
production and energy management projects. The Spectrum Energy team is one of the
nation’s most experienced providers of large scale solar electric photovoltaic (PV)
systems responsible for all phases of the worldrenowned SMUD Solar Program. The
SEI Team has been responsible for over 10,000 kW of PV systems in over 1,000 installations
and are among the most honored professionals in the solar industry. This experience
encompasses excellence in design, engineering, customer service and installations
with demonstrated superior performance. As an independent PV and EEMs provider,
Spectrum works with many manufacturers supplying best-available technology to their
clients. In addition, Spectrum provides a wide range of project financing options
providing increased benefits to their clients.
About Sharp Solar. Sharp Corp. is the number one manufacturer of solar cells and
modules in the world and is fully committed to meeting the increasing demand for
solar energy. The solar modules used in the Anderson school project were produced
in Memphis, Tennessee. Sharp recognizes global warming as one of the world's most
pressing environmental issues. To actively confront this problem Sharp has included
in its corporate vision a commitment to have "zero global warming impact by 2010."
Sharp is working to achieve this goal by limiting greenhouse gas emissions from
business activities, while at the same time, increasing the production of solar
technologies to produce zero-emission electricity."
About SMA America. Founded in Germany in 1981, SMA is the manufacturer of the successful
line of photovoltaic (PV) inverters. SMA has grown to over 1100 employees and is
the leading supplier of grid connected PV system power inverters worldwide. SMA
America’s headquarters in California supplies renewable energy markets in North
and South America with the most reliable, efficient and effective inverters available
with an entire family of inverter models to choose from ranging from hundreds of
Watts up to multiple Megawatts.
About PG&E With more than 12,000 solar customers, PG&E is a national leader in interconnecting
to the power grid customer-owned solar generation and has provided more than $140
million in rebates to help customers pay for their solar generators. PG&E’s self-generation
incentive program helps pay the cost of on-site electric generating systems utilizing
either solar, wind turbines, fuel cells, or micro turbine or internal combustion
engine cogeneration systems.
AUHSD West Valley High School PV Project Dedication and Open House Date: 28 September
2006 Time: 9:30 – 11:00am Speakers: 9:30am Location: 3805 Happy Valley Road, Cottonwood,
CA 96022 North Parking Lot Entrance – Follow the signs AUHSD and Open House Contact:
Jacqueline A. Titus, (530) 378-0568
For more information of the Anderson Energy Project Contact: Donald Osborn, Spectrum
Energy LLC 916-213-5978 deosol@aol.com Photos (jpg) available