Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Laminates to power two California schools
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Solar
Ovonic, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD
Ovonics) (Nasdaq: ENER), announced today that it has supplied 420 kW of
photovoltaic (PV) laminates to 3rd Rock Systems & Technologies, Inc. (3rd
Rock Systems) to power two of its latest Solar School Projects at Yuba City
United School District and Alpine Union School District.
3rd Rock Systems, a leading renewable energy firm, has successfully
commissioned many of California's largest solar schools and is currently
using PV laminates manufactured by United Solar Ovonic for its
next-generation solar school projects. Based in Burlingame, Calif., 3rd
Rock Systems draws on its extensive experience to help clients of all sizes
to protect themselves against the rising and volatile costs associated with
grid electricity through the use of proven renewable energy technologies,
such as solar photovoltaic and hydrogen-based fuel cell applications.
River Bend Elementary School, scheduled to open in Fall 2007, will
boast a 300 Kilowatt (DC-rated) PV system permanently adhered to
standing-seam metal rooftops on 15 buildings, including 10 portable
classrooms. The entire system will consist of 2,362 flexible UNI-SOLAR(R)
136 and 68 watt "peel and stick" field-applied PV laminates.
"The excellent high-temperature performance of UNI-SOLAR(R) triple
junction thin-film laminates is expected to maintain maximum system
performance during the hot summer days typical of California's central
valley," said Vijay Israni, CEO of 3rd Rock Systems. "The DC electricity
generated from the laminates will feed through three Satcon 75 kW inverters
and one Satcon 50 kW inverter to supply AC power to the school's main
electrical service," he added.
In 2004, 3rd Rock Systems delivered a 34 Kilowatt "Pilot" photovoltaic
system to Alpine Union School District for the Joan MacQueen Middle School.
Pleased with the results, the District decided to move ahead with an
additional 120 kilowatt PV system at Joan McQueen consisting of 1,158
flexible UNI-SOLAR(R) 136 and 68 watt "peel and stick" PV laminates on two
standing- seam metal rooftops.
"We chose UNI-SOLAR(R) products for the add-on system because the thin-
film laminates require absolutely no mounting hardware and add no
significant weight to the existing roof," said Vijay Israni.
Both schools will feature a 3rd Rock Systems proprietary internet-based
performance monitoring system, which will double as a teaching tool with
interactive "Learning Modules" designed to help educate the students,
teachers and the entire community about the benefits of renewable energy
technologies.
"Working with innovative companies like 3rd Rock Systems helps to bring
our vandal resistant, aesthetically pleasing and unbreakable PV products to
schools, colleges and universities who value these features the most," said
Qudrat Delawari, Vice President of North American Sales at United Solar
Ovonic.
Unlike traditional crystalline technology, which uses heavy glass
panels, UNI-SOLAR(R) products are flexible, durable, lightweight, and easy
to install. Because of these characteristics, UNI-SOLAR(R) triple-junction
products offer the ideal solution for both grid-connected and off-grid
solar electric systems. Independent studies in Europe and elsewhere have
shown that triple junction products deliver more energy per rated power
than the conventional crystalline products.
About United Solar Ovonic
United Solar Ovonic, building on technology invented and pioneered by
ECD Ovonics, is the world leader in thin-film amorphous photovoltaics.
ECD's United Solar Ovonic high-volume production equipment is the world's
largest and most advanced machine for the manufacture of thin-film
amorphous-silicon alloy solar cells and related products that are used for
a variety of applications. Because of characteristics unique to the United
Solar Ovonic solar cell technology, such as lightweight, ruggedness and
flexibility, it is ideal as building-integrated photovoltaic roofing
systems for residential and industrial customers. ECD Ovonics holds the
basic patents covering the continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing of
thin-film amorphous-silicon alloy multi-junction solar cells and related
products. More information is available at http://www.uni-solar.com .
About 3rd Rock Systems
3rd Rock Systems & Technologies is an organization that focuses on
proven Renewable Energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, fuel
cells and hydrogen-based generation systems. They design clean energy
solutions that provide immediate and long-term benefits from both an
economic and environmental perspective. 3rd Rock Systems has extensive
experience working with both public agencies and private clients. More
information is available at http://www.3rdRock.us .
SOURCE United Solar Ovonic
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Related links:
http://www.ovonic.com
http://www.3rdrock.us http://www.uni-solar.com
CONTACT:
Elliot Jaramillo, Vice President of Sales,
3rd Rock Systems & Technologies, Inc., +1-866-437-3762,
elliotj@3rdRock.us ; or Qudrat Delawari, Vice President of North
American Sales, United Solar Ovonic LLC, +1-800-397-2083,
qdelawari@uni-solar.com
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