SPG Solar

Wawona Packing Benefits from More Solar

marissa_spgsolar — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:46:56 +0000

The SPG Solar SunSeeker Tracker increase solar production, meeting the bulk of the facilities electricity needs.

Read The Packer

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Curtimade Dairy Milks the Sun

marissa_spgsolar — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:38:17 +0000

Curtimade Dairy takes the plunge, investing in solar and saving an expected $145,000 annually

Read Fresno Business Journal

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National University, Powered by the Sun

marissa_spgsolar — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:56:13 +0000

National University and SPG Solar Complete Multi Carport and Rooftop Solar Power System

New power systems are a direct result of the University’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability
New power systems will provide up to 85% of the electricity at the Technology and Health Sciences Center and 35% of the electricity at the Spectrum Business Park Campus
Optimized rooftop and carport power systems will generate more than 1.4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – National University, the second-largest private, nonprofit institution of higher education in California and the 12th-largest in the United States, and SPG Solar, a national solar energy company, have completed an 852 kilowatt (kW) DC solar power project at two National University campuses in San Diego, California. The two rooftop solar installations at the Spectrum Business Park Campus and a solar carport system spanning three parking locations at the Technology and Health Sciences Center in Kearny Mesa are a direct result of the University’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.

“In 2009, Chancellor Jerry C. Lee encouraged National University to incorporate sustainability practices in all facets of its operations. These new systems demonstrate that commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Richard Carter, Vice Chancellor of Business Operations for the National University System. “These systems will not only reduce the equivalent of approximately 1,000 tons of pollutants annually, but they also have supported the development of sustainability management curriculum in our School of Engineering, Technology and Media.”

The solar power system was made possible through a solar power purchase agreement (PPA), arranged by SPG Solar and owned by an indirect subsidiary of Integrys Energy Services, Inc. The agreement is structured with no upfront capital costs to the university.

With over 3,000 solar panels, the optimized rooftop and carport systems will generate more than 1.4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually – equivalent to producing enough electricity to power 127 average American homes. The energy produced from these systems will provide up to 85% of the electricity at the Technology and Health Sciences Center and 35% of the electricity at the Spectrum Business Park Campus. As an additional benefit, National University is expected to realize savings of more than $1.6 million over the next 20 years.

“National University is taking a fiscally responsible approach by saving energy and reducing costs through a Power Purchase Agreement, all while setting the bar for other universities to follow,” said Michael Johnson, Vice President of Structured Finance at SPG Solar. “It is a lot of fun working with clients like National University, where you bring the students to the rooftop and make it your classroom.”

The SPG Solar team spent a day on campus, leading a class, engaging students, and outlining the business case for solar.

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Improving Utility Scale Solar Returns

marissa_spgsolar — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:35:30 +0000

The discussion at the Solar Power Gen Conference around improving the return on investment in utility scale solar power generation proved lively. Bill Elwell from SPG Solar highlighted the importance of optimizing solar power production through a ground-mount single-axis tracking system. Below are the four key takeways from the panel on how to successfully develop utility scale solar projects.

Location. Location. Location

Important to choose the correct site, close to the interconnection point and with minimal environmental and entitlement issues. This helps expedite the process and get the system online sooner.

Production Estimates

Design systems optimized with tilt and orientation factors, understanding soiling losses, DC:AC ratios all with end game of delivering a quality production estimate

Lower Costs & Increase Efficiency

Solar trackers, like the SunSeeker Tracker, cost only 10% more than a fixed tilt system but the production can be as great as 25% over the fixed tilt
The solar trackers daily power curve can lend itself well to a utilities “peak” and “super peak” pay schedule
Inverter companies are pushing to ‘improve’ regulations to allow inverters to be built to different specifications which could help lower costs and improve efficiencies

Utility Knowledge

Understand the difference in peak time of a solar systems production verses the peak load times of the grid (when people are using power the most) and how these times do not line up.
Utilities are working with technology companies on products that can help improve these issues, like storage devises and inverter technologies that improve power quality of the grid.

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Dairies: Milking the Sun

marissa_spgsolar — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:17:02 +0000

There is a new trend going on. Dairy farms are looking towards solar to reduce operating costs, improve the bottom line, and help bring stability to an industry that has suffered as a result of a volatile milk prices the past few years. The softer farmgate prices and sustained high feed costs are squeezing farmer margins. Two Dairies, Lakeside Dairy and Curtimade Dairy, have taken control and are changing the game. They have invested in a new crop – solar energy – to lower and hedge against their high energy costs, which are required for milk cooling and harvesting, electric water heating, lighting, fans and ventilation. Both Dairies are meeting roughly 80% of their electrical load with solar and seeing a savings of around $175,000+ annually. Not to mention, solar provides a long-term energy strategy – hedging against rising electricity costs and ensuring sustainable production and quality of milk.

Now there are some misconceptions of solar at Dairy farms. Below are the top 3 fears. Lakeside Dairy and Curtimade Dairy have proved these myths wrong.

1. It’s too expensive

When you combine the price of solar panels which have come down 47 percent in 2011, low-interest loans and financing available, fed and state tax incentives, and a federal program enabling businesses to earn a hefty tax break by depreciating their solar photovoltaic equipment by 100 percent in six years, these systems make very strong investments and the business case becomes clear.

2. It’s an unproven technology

Completely false. Solar is a proven technology with over 50 years of data that supports power production. There were panels installed in the 1950s that are still performing strong today. Solar panels have 25 year warranties from multi-billion dollar semiconductor companies as well as power production guarantees. To further ensure production, SPG Solar offers energy output guarantees and on average our systems are performing at 104 percent.

3. There is too much dust at Dairy Farms, which will interfere with solar production

There is dust, but the panels still perform with a layer of dust. It will only slightly impact the efficiency, but it will not stop solar production. A quick hose down will remove the dust. Lakeside Dairy does this on their own, but SPG Solar offers Maintenance services to clean the panels. Dust is an easy issue to resolve.

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