WEL Network’s installation of a solar photovoltaic system has been on trial for over 8 months now by the eco-friendly meeting venue, The Greenspace, in Hamilton. It was chosen last year as one of two sites to participate in the WEL Energy Trust funded project that aims to test the feasibility of distributed generation using small scale solar technology.
The 1.2kW solar photovoltaic system, installed by WEL Networks in December of last year, harnesses the sun’s energy to generate green power from solar panels covering 11.4 square metres of roof space on the building. It averages a production of 4.06kWh per day. This is the equivalent energy to provide 104 homes with enough electricity to watch every World Cup Rugby match on a 46” TV.
“Congratulations go to WEL for delivering projects that increase the use of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, like this one,” said The Greenspace co-owner, Annie Perkins.
The photovoltaic system being trialled by WEL Networks is a form of distributed generation, or generation of energy close to the point of use.
“At the moment, we use all the power generated from the panels which makes up about 10% of our energy use,” said Ms Perkins. “I don’t even have to think about it anymore though. The installation and now the use, has been completely seamless.”
Malcolm Souness the Energy Management Engineer from WEL Networks said that it was trials like this one that allows WEL to build up its intellectual property as the technology is improving.
Greenspace is one of two solar photovoltaic system installations completed as part of the WEL Networks renewable energy trials. A photovoltaic system installation was installed by WEL on the roof of the Raglan Community House in November of last year. It has generated on average the equivalent energy to recharge a 2012 Toyota Prius Plug in Hybrid once each day (approximately 24km distance without petrol) or up to 4,750km of travel per year.
Source:http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1110/S00572/solar-energy-helps-power-the-greenspace.htm
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Siemens Sinvert Inverters Featured in Solar-Powered Aggregate Facility
Siemens Industry announced today it has added another 1 megawatt (MW) of solar power to its portfolio as Granite Construction Company (GCC) recently commissioned one of the US's first solar-powered aggregate and hot-mix facilities located in Coalinga, California.
GCC is using Siemens' Sinvert PVS1051 UL inverter with an integrated e-house solution and a 1000 KVA oil transformer. The 1MW solar power generation system will provide clean energy to power Granite's aggregate mining facility.
Siemens Sinvert PVS1051 UL is used in photovoltaic (PV) systems to convert the direct current from the PV generators into a three-phase current that is then supplied to the connected power grid.
Granite's 1MW project is one of several solar accounts announced by Siemens. In September, Siemens began production of 10 Sinvert PVS2000 inverters for a 20MW solar field in Stillwater, Nevada being developed by Enel Green Power North America, Inc. The project also includes 10 2000kVA 12.47 kV step-up transformers and one 20MVA GSU transformer.
In July, Siemens announced it had received a multi-million dollar order from Interconnect Solar Development, LLC, to supply solar technology for the 20MW Murphy Flats solar field located in Idaho. The project includes inverters, transformers and containers and will feature Siemens 1000VDC inverters along with 1000VDC panels for maximum energy harvesting.
Siemens has begun production of its Sinvert solar inverters at its West Chicago, Illinois manufacturing facility, localising its manufacturing to better serve its customers based throughout the US. The company invested approximately $10 million (USD) upgrading two buildings at the location, one of which will support the growing demand for solar power domestically.
Source:http://www.solarnovus.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3702:siemens-sinvert-inverters-featured-in-solar-powered-aggregate-facility&catid=41:applications-tech-news&Itemid=245
Sunday, October 16, 2011
California has 1 in 4 U.S. solar energy jobs, study says
The National Solar Jobs Census 2011 says job growth in the industry grew 6.8% in the one-year period ended in August, and a survey of solar employers suggests employment will rise by 24%, creating 24,000 jobs, during the next year.
One in every four solar energy jobs in America is held by a Californian, and growth in the clean-tech industry is burgeoning nationwide, a new study said.
In August, California had an estimated 25,575 solar-related jobs out of 100,237 for all 50 states, according to the National Solar Jobs Census 2011. The census is scheduled for release Monday by the Solar Foundation, a research and education organization in Washington.
California's solar jobs tally was more than four times greater than runner-up Colorado, which had 6,186 solar jobs.
The Golden State ranked first in the nation for generating electricity from both photovoltaic solar panels and concentrated solar power systems that use mirrors to create steam to run turbines, the study said.
"This report shows that the solar industry is not only creating green jobs across California but that the industry is forecast to continue growing at a much faster pace than the overall U.S. economy," said Michelle Kinman, a clean energy advocate for Environment California. "California industry and policymakers have a tremendous opportunity to build on this solid foundation and make solar a centerpiece of the state's energy policy."
Nationally, employment in all parts of the solar industry, including manufacturing, installation, residential, commercial and large-scale power generation, grew 6.8% in the 12 month period ended in August. Overall U.S. job growth was less than 1% for the same period, the census said.
Growth is expected to accelerate 24%, creating 24,000 jobs, over the next year, based on a survey of solar employers.
The industry's momentum should continue despite bad publicity from a political scandal surrounding the bankruptcy of Northern California solar panel manufacturer Solyndra, industry advocates said. The Fremont, Calif., company recently closed after getting a $535-million federal loan guarantee.
"We have to look beyond the failure of one company and see the tremendous success that's occurring here," said Arno Harris, chief executive of Recurrent Energy, a San Francisco solar developer.
David Hochschild, vice president of Fremont-based Solaria Corp., said the technology "is on the cusp of playing a large role in mainstream markets."
Here's a list of the top states ranked by the number of solar industry jobs, according to the solar jobs census:
1. California 25,575
2. Colorado 6,186
3. Arizona 4,786
4. Pennsylvania 4,703
5. New York 4,279
6. Florida 4,224
7. Texas 3,346
7. Oregon 3,346
8. New Jersey 2,871
9. Massachusetts 2,395
Source:http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-solar-jobs-20111017,0,3230671.story
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