AllEarth Renewables has initiated construction on nearly 5 megawatts of projects utilizing its dual-axis solar tracker systems to provide power to 12 state government facilities in Vermont.
The facilities include each of the state's correctional facilities and several state office buildings, including the office of Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin.
The ground-mounted solar tracker systems will provide emissions-free, net metered solar electricity for each facility at below market rates through long-term energy contracts, and represents the state's largest public solar initiative to date.
Each of the 500kW (ac) solar projects will be constructed utilizing AllSun Trackers, which track the sun throughout the day to maximize energy production. They are manufactured in Williston, Vt. byAllEarth Renewables.
The initial three, 500kW projects that are scheduled to be completed in 2014 will each feature 1,560 SunPower 345-watt solar panels manufactured by SunPower Corp.
The initiative will produce more than 7 million kilowatt hours of energy for state buildings each year.
"The combination of our premium, American-made dual-axis solar trackers with high performance SunPower solar panels is a perfect match," said president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables David Blittersdorf. "By utilizing our tracking technology with high efficiency SunPower panels, we can maximize production within the state's net metering limit, boosting the total solar savings for the State of Vermont and the economic returns for each project. It's a real winning combination."
Governor Shumlin visited Northeast State Correctional Facility in St. Johnsbury, Vt. where the first 500kW project featuring AllSun Trackers and SunPower solar panels is under construction.
Each of the remaining state projects has a Certificate of Public Good or is in the permitting process.
"SunPower's high efficiency solar panels will maximize production of cost-effective solar power for the State of Vermont, reducing long-term operational costs," said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units. "As a SunPower dealer, AllEarth Renewables has demonstrated a commitment to delivering quality solar solutions, and we're looking forward to their continued success in years to come."
AllSun Trackers produce up to 30% more energy than fix ground-mounted systems and up to 45 percent more energy than rooftop systems per kW installed.
The initial 1.5 megawatts of projects are being financed by the Alternative Energy Development Group based in Philadelphia, PA.
AllEarth Renewables, headquartered in Williston, manufactures the AllSun Tracker, a dual-axis solar tracker that uses innovative GPS and wireless technology to follow the sun throughout the day, producing up to 45 percent more energy than rooftop solar. The company has manufactured and installed over 2,300 solar tracker systems nationwide to date. Among its top-product awards, the dual axis tracker was named a "Top-10 Green Product" by BuildingGreen magazine and "Top Product of the Year" by Solar Power World. The company's ground-mounted, pre-engineered solar trackers are designed for residential and commercial-scale installations.
SunPower designs, manufactures and delivers the highest efficiency, highest reliability solar panels and systems available today. Residential, business, government and utility customers rely on the company's quarter century of experience and guaranteed performance to provide maximum return on investment throughout the life of the solar system. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia.