BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Puget Sound Energy’s work in bringing renewable energy demonstration systems to the classroom takes another step forward in 2009 with the utility today announcing that Green River Community College, Liberty High School, Hazen High School and Coupeville Middle and High School are each recipients of $26,700 grants from the electricity and natural gas provider. The $107,000 in combined 2009 grants will fund the installation of a 1.5 kilowatt solar array at each school and the purchase of monitoring software and classroom curriculum to allow the students to track how much energy they are making from the sun.
“Today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders when it comes to thinking about how to produce and use energy wisely,” said Cal Shirley, vice president of Energy Efficiency Services for PSE. “Our solar grant program brings renewable energy to the classroom, and makes the challenges and solutions we face with energy real and compelling.”
The 2009 grants raise PSE’s total support for school solar projects to $375,000, with the four new schools joining 12 earlier educational solar power projects in the Puget Sound region that received grants totaling just under $268,000.
Today’s grant to Green River Community College marks the first time a community college has been included in the solar program.
The grants to Liberty and Hazen high schools, both located in King County, will provide an opportunity to compare the efficiency of a tracking solar array, which has the ability to turn and follow the sun and will be installed at Liberty, with a fixed array that will be installed at nearby Hazen, and also with a similar fixed array at Issaquah High School that was also funded by a grant from PSE in 2008. In addition to the utility’s support, funding for the tracking array at Liberty High School was made possible by a $10,000 grant from the Issaquah Schools Foundation.
On Whidbey Island, the grant to Coupeville Middle and High School will also allow comparisons with the power generated by the solar array at South Whidbey High School, which received funding through PSE’s 2008 renewable energy grants.
“Today’s students are hungry for real-world experience, to be able to see first-hand how things work,” said Shirley. “The renewable energy grants turn the classroom into a laboratory, enabling students to discover how their energy choices will affect the environment and economy.”
At 1.5 kW, each solar array will generate enough power, on average, to operate 15 notebook computers for 1,000 hours. In addition to the rooftop-mounted solar panels, the PSE grants support the purchase of inverters to connect renewable energy generators to each school’s electrical system, monitoring software, as well as teaching, training and lesson plans developed by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation as part of its Solar 4R Schools program.
School districts qualifying for the Solar Schools program submitted plans earlier this year detailing their educational goals, how their project will bring renewable energy technologies to new areas of the Puget Sound region and what steps will be taken to increase community awareness of the potential for using renewable energy technologies. PSE expects to offer a new round of grants through a similar RFP process in early 2010.
Since 2004, PSE has funded the installation of systems at Redmond High School, Port Townsend High School, the Bellingham Environmental Learning Center, the Puget Sound Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee’s Training Center in Renton, the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, Western Washington University in Bellingham, the Institute for Environmental Research and Education on Vashon Island, Thomas Jefferson High School, Marshall Middle School, Interlake High School, Sakai Intermediate School and South Whidbey High School.
Showing posts with label Puget Sound Energy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Puget Sound Energy. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Pudget Sound Energy Ranked As National Solar Leader
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Despite the Northwest’s reputation for cloudy skies, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is receiving high marks for its work in developing solar energy resources. According to rankings released by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) today, PSE merits a “Top 10 Solar Ranking” among all utilities across the country.
“Solar energy is proving its potential in Washington, even with weather that some may not see as ideal for harnessing the power of the sun,” said Kimberly Harris, executive vice president and chief resource officer for PSE. “We’re proud that the work being done by PSE and its customers is showing that the future for solar energy is bright for the Puget Sound area and the state.”
According to SEPA, PSE ranks in the top 10 among the nation’s utilities in two categories: solar electric capacity on the utility side of the meter (ranking eighth); and, solar electric capacity per customer on the utility side of the meter (ranking ninth). These rankings measure the amount of utility-owned solar generation, and were achieved due to the utility’s 500 kilowatt (kW) solar array at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near Ellensburg in Kittitas County.
The Wild Horse solar array uses photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight directly to electricity. The array, which entered service in October 2007, currently comprises 2,400 solar panels, and will gain an additional 300 panels later in 2008. Rated at 500 kW, the array produces the energy equivalent to that needed by 300 homes.
“PSE developed the Wild Horse solar facility to gain real-world experience with solar power and how it can be integrated with wind power,” said Harris. “Now, after nearly a year in operation, solar is proving its capability in a wide range of weather, from sunny skies to winter storms.”
Sited at 3,800 feet of elevation atop Whiskey Dick Mountain, the array has withstood winds of more than 100 mph and temperatures ranging from well below freezing to more than 100 degrees and continued to perform up to expectations. Even during overcast skies, the PV panels have produced up to 70 percent of their rated power output.
In addition to generating electric power, the Wild Horse solar array has also brought attention to the technologies and possibilities of alternative energy, with some 8,000 people now having visited the Renewable Energy Center (REC) at Wild Horse. The REC, which opened in April 2008, offers a first-hand look at solar and wind power, giving visitors a chance to see how clean, renewable energy is produced. At the center, interactive computer displays show how much energy the solar panels are producing at any given moment, and their total energy output over time. The REC is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from April through November, excluding during severe weather.
PSE customers have also demonstrated the value of solar energy, with nearly 300 customers currently having solar PV systems at their home or business connected to the utility’s distribution system. Through the utility’s net-metering program, customers are able to receive credits for any excess energy they generate, with the excess energy flowing into the utility’s grid. When the customer is using more electricity than their system is producing, they are then able to draw on those credits to offset the cost of any electricity provided by PSE.
In addition to the net-metering program, PSE also administers cash payments to customers through the state of Washington’s Renewable Energy Advantage Program (REAP) that offers payments on a sliding scale based on how much energy is produced by the customer’s PV system and how much of their system includes made-in-Washington components.
PSE has also worked with area schools to bring solar to the classroom. A dozen Western Washington schools have received grants from PSE for solar array installations and classroom monitoring software, with further grants expected in 2009.
In addition, PSE is the only Washington state utility using solar technology to protect its natural gas system and one of the largest users in the U.S. PSE installed its first system in 1984 and now has approximately a quarter of the utility’s 300 cathodic protection systems operating on solar power.
“Solar energy is proving its potential in Washington, even with weather that some may not see as ideal for harnessing the power of the sun,” said Kimberly Harris, executive vice president and chief resource officer for PSE. “We’re proud that the work being done by PSE and its customers is showing that the future for solar energy is bright for the Puget Sound area and the state.”
According to SEPA, PSE ranks in the top 10 among the nation’s utilities in two categories: solar electric capacity on the utility side of the meter (ranking eighth); and, solar electric capacity per customer on the utility side of the meter (ranking ninth). These rankings measure the amount of utility-owned solar generation, and were achieved due to the utility’s 500 kilowatt (kW) solar array at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility near Ellensburg in Kittitas County.
The Wild Horse solar array uses photovoltaic (PV) panels to convert sunlight directly to electricity. The array, which entered service in October 2007, currently comprises 2,400 solar panels, and will gain an additional 300 panels later in 2008. Rated at 500 kW, the array produces the energy equivalent to that needed by 300 homes.
“PSE developed the Wild Horse solar facility to gain real-world experience with solar power and how it can be integrated with wind power,” said Harris. “Now, after nearly a year in operation, solar is proving its capability in a wide range of weather, from sunny skies to winter storms.”
Sited at 3,800 feet of elevation atop Whiskey Dick Mountain, the array has withstood winds of more than 100 mph and temperatures ranging from well below freezing to more than 100 degrees and continued to perform up to expectations. Even during overcast skies, the PV panels have produced up to 70 percent of their rated power output.
In addition to generating electric power, the Wild Horse solar array has also brought attention to the technologies and possibilities of alternative energy, with some 8,000 people now having visited the Renewable Energy Center (REC) at Wild Horse. The REC, which opened in April 2008, offers a first-hand look at solar and wind power, giving visitors a chance to see how clean, renewable energy is produced. At the center, interactive computer displays show how much energy the solar panels are producing at any given moment, and their total energy output over time. The REC is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from April through November, excluding during severe weather.
PSE customers have also demonstrated the value of solar energy, with nearly 300 customers currently having solar PV systems at their home or business connected to the utility’s distribution system. Through the utility’s net-metering program, customers are able to receive credits for any excess energy they generate, with the excess energy flowing into the utility’s grid. When the customer is using more electricity than their system is producing, they are then able to draw on those credits to offset the cost of any electricity provided by PSE.
In addition to the net-metering program, PSE also administers cash payments to customers through the state of Washington’s Renewable Energy Advantage Program (REAP) that offers payments on a sliding scale based on how much energy is produced by the customer’s PV system and how much of their system includes made-in-Washington components.
PSE has also worked with area schools to bring solar to the classroom. A dozen Western Washington schools have received grants from PSE for solar array installations and classroom monitoring software, with further grants expected in 2009.
In addition, PSE is the only Washington state utility using solar technology to protect its natural gas system and one of the largest users in the U.S. PSE installed its first system in 1984 and now has approximately a quarter of the utility’s 300 cathodic protection systems operating on solar power.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Puget Sound Energy Taps EI Solutions For Northwest’s Largest Solar-Power Facility
BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Puget Sound Energy (PSE) (utility subsidiary of Puget Energy (NYSE:PSD)) today announced that EI Solutions will design and construct for PSE the Pacific Northwest’s largest solar-power generating facility alongside the utility’s Wild Horse wind farm in central Washington. PSE plans to begin construction of the solar project in June and have most of its power-generating panels in operation before the end of 2007.
EI Solutions, based in San Rafael, Calif., topped a field of 12 finalists to build for PSE a $3.7 million, 500-kilowatt (kw) solar-power generating facility. It not only will be the Northwest’s largest solar-powered system, but also will be the first commercial installation to use made-in-Washington solar panels.
“We’re building a large-scale demonstration project to give our company, and our state, a better understanding of solar power’s viability here in the Northwest,” said Stephen P. Reynolds, chairman, president and CEO for Puget Sound Energy. “What’s more, by helping to launch a home-grown line of solar panels, this project will give Washington residents an added incentive to install their own solar-powered systems.”
As part of PSE’s contract with EI Solutions, Washington-based Outback Power Systems will provide 10 percent of the panels for the Wild Horse solar project.
EI Solutions is a leading builder of large-scale solar-power systems. The company is completing the largest solar-power system ever installed at a single corporate campus – a 1.6-megawatt system atop Google’s sprawling headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
“It is a true pleasure for us to be working with Puget Sound Energy, a leading wind-power producer in Washington, to integrate solar power into their portfolio of clean, renewable energy resources,” said Andrew Beebe, president of EI Solutions. “We applaud PSE’s commitment to energy alternatives that can provide tangible environmental benefits in an economically sound manner, and look forward to proving through the Wild Horse project that solar is a viable solution in the state of Washington.”
Under a state law implemented in 2006, Washington households and small businesses can earn direct payments for every kilowatt-hour (kwh) of electricity produced from self-owned solar, wind, or biomass generating systems. The incentive payments from PSE and other participating electric utilities are much larger — up to 54 cents per kwh, with a $2,000 yearly cap — if the power-generating systems employ Washington-made components. For information on how to receive solar-incentive payments from PSE’s Renewable Energy Advantage Program, see the company’s Web site (pse.com) or call 1-800-562-1482.
“We are looking forward to working with PSE, EI Solutions, and Blue Oak Energy,” said Mark Thomas, president and ceo of Outback Power Systems. “The Wild Horse solar project gives us an excellent opportunity to showcase renewable energy in Washington and demonstrate the viability of solar power right here at home.”
Blue Oak Energy, a specialty solar-engineering firm, has been hired by PSE to review the project’s design and ensure that its equipment can withstand harsh winds of up to 120 mph that have been recorded at the site.
The Wild Horse solar project will have more than 2,500 photovoltaic solar panels mounted in two separate locations across five acres. Most of the panels will be located at an old quarry site too high (3,800 feet) for wind turbines due to aviation requirements, but typically above local fog and clouds.
The entire Wild Horse site, roughly 120 miles east of Seattle between Ellensburg and the Columbia River, includes 6,000 acres of PSE-owned land and 3,000 acres of state-owned property. The amount of sunshine in the area is similar to Houston’s.
The solar facility, with an ability to serve the power needs of about 300 households, will roughly double Washington state’s entire output of solar power. The Pacific Northwest’s single largest solar generator today — a 132-kw system in Klamath Falls, Ore. — is about one-fourth the size of PSE’s planned Wild Horse solar facility.
PSE completed its 127-turbine Wild Horse Wind Facility last December. The utility’s Hopkins Ridge Wind Facility, built in 2005 near Walla Walla, has 83 turbines. Together, the two wind farms make PSE the largest utility producer of renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest.
About Puget Sound Energy
Washington state’s oldest and largest energy utility, with a 6,000-square-mile service territory stretching across 11 counties, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) serves more than 1 million electric customers and 718,000 natural gas customers. PSE, a subsidiary of Puget Energy (NYSE: PSD), meets the energy needs of its growing customer base through incremental, cost-effective energy conservation, low-cost procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. For more information, visit www.pse.com.
About EI Solutions
EI Solutions is one of California’s fastest-growing providers of commercial and utility-scale solar power systems. The company has completed projects for a wide variety of public agencies and private companies and is nearing completion of the largest solar installation on a U.S. corporate campus, a 1.6-megawatt system on Google’s Mountain View headquarters. EI Solutions’ headquarters are in San Rafael, Calif., where all engineering, project management, finance and administrative functions are based. EI Solutions also operates a sales and marketing office in Pasadena, Calif., at the home of its parent company, Energy Innovations. Energy Innovations, an Idealab company, is building the world’s first rooftop tracking solar concentrator, designed to drive down the long-term cost of solar energy below the price of utility-supplied electricity. More information can be found at www.eispv.com or by calling 1-800-237-0916.
About Outback Power Systems
OutBack Power Systems, Inc. is a global designer and manufacturer of cutting-edge power conversion solutions that provide reliable electric power for renewable energy, back-up power, mobile, and industrial applications. With decades of power conversion electronics design, as well as equipment installation experience, we share a passion for leading the industry into a new era of performance, ease-of-use, and standardization. OutBack Power Systems is a privately held corporation located in Arlington, Wash., with a European sales office in Barcelona, Spain.
About Blue Oak Energy
Blue Oak Energy Inc. is a focused solar electric design and engineering firm with more than a decade of experience in designing, planning and managing the installation of some of the largest projects in North America. Principals currently hold active Professional Engineering licenses in California, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, New Jersey and Connecticut. The firm’s capabilities extend beyond excellence in design and construction management. The firm is capable of providing system inspections, testing and commissioning services to ensure that clients receive a quality product. As financial institutions embrace the solar electric industry, Blue Oak Energy is prepared to perform site studies, liability assessments and final system inspections as the independent engineer of record. The firm also produces the Homerun™ Combiner Box, which was developed by a team of experienced engineers and electricians to reduce the cost and simplify the installation of large PV systems. More information on Blue Oak Energy and the Homerun™ Combiner Box can be found online at www.blueoakenergy.com or by calling 530-747-2026.
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