[The Vector] Renewable Energy Renewable Energy News From Around the Country
Nipton, California Will Generate 85% of its Electricity from Skyline Solar
Skyline Solar announced the first commercial installation of its High Gain Solar (HGS) 1000 system in a new municipal solar plant of the desert town. The 80 kilowatt plant is an upgradeable solar power system that has been planned since 2008, when it secured financing. Skyline’s HGS patented architecture uses photovoltaic, tracking, cooling and concentration components, and reduces the amount of silicon needed. The power-producing components are upgradeable – which allows the owners to “future proof” their investment.
“As a gateway community to the Mojave Desert, Nipton seeks to be a good steward of the environment. Sustainability is paramount…” said Gerald Freeman, Principal Administrator for Nipton.
And Here’s What’s Happening at the New York Power Authority:
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will choose solar sites and projects by July 16th, 2010 from among the 43 proposals. The authority wants to build 100 megawatts of photovoltaic power by the end of 2014 throughout New York, increasing installed capacity fivefold. Twenty year power purchase agreements would arrange for NYPA to buy the power, but the developers would own and operate the arrays. Roof and ground-mounted arrays are planned for public and private schools, universities, state and local government facilities, municipal and rural electric cooperative systems. The Power Authority will not release details of sites to date, but wants the 100 megawatts evenly divided among the state’s five regions, as reported in the Watertown Daily Times.
Governor Bill Richardson
Albuquerque, New Mexico has been chosen as the site of a new solar photovoltaic test laboratory. The CFV Solar Test Laboratory, which is a certification test company jointly owned by CSA Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Fraunhofer USA Center for Susutainable Energy and BDE Testing and Certification Institute will locate their new solar test lab in Albuquerque, announced June 16th, 2010. It is located near to the Sandia National Labs, the University of NM and other players in the PV world. Operations will start late in 2010.
The new lab will create 30 to 40 highly qualified jobs in the PV industry at their state-of-the-art facility. The site will test products for certification to North American and International standards.Governor Bill Richardson said, “As we build a thriving solar industry in New Mexico, it is important that we attract all aspects of the industry. . . Today’s announcement shows that our renewable energy policies and pro-business attitude continue to draw international interest and investment.”
