Solar photovoltaic solutions designer Conergy installs world’s first thin-film solar energy tracking system

6 April 2009

Conergy's solar energy tracking system

The 419KW system went live in March, taking three months to install. The second phase providing 1.6MW of solar energy is expected to save the district nearly $400,000 a year in utility costs, according to a statement.

SSJID is located in California, US in Manteca, between Yosemite National Park and San Francisco. It provides water for 55,000 acres in the surrounding area. The project is officially known as the Robert O. Schulz Solar Farm.

SSJID general manager Jeff Shields said, ‘The application of thin-film on a solar tracking system as a way to optimize energy output in perennially-dusty or overcast areas is generating a great deal of excitement not only among those in areas with conditions similar to the Central Valley, but among economic policymakers and environmental stewards in Washington, D.C. We are eager to continue our work with Conergy to bring this solution – and the important data it’s generating in our cost-benefit analysis – to light.’

California is currently in its third consecutive year of a drought causing governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a state of water emergency, which can mean water rationing and rate hikes. Thus, SSJID is receiving $6m in cash incentives from the California Solar Initiative program, designed to stimulate solar markets by providing cash incentives of up to 30 per cent of system costs for businesses, public agencies and home owners who go solar.

SSJID utility systems director Don Battles said, ‘The project’s main goal was to stabilise electrical costs, which can spike substantially in summer months given local time of use (TOU) metering. In addition to the project’s $400,000 annual electric bill savings, the solar energy systems provide the district with a hedge against rising utility costs. And, he adds, both projects are hooked into the state’s electrical grid, which means the district will be able to sell its surplus, peak-time energy (another precious commodity) back to the local utility.’

Conergy designs, manufactures, installs and finances solar photovoltaic solutions for major commercial sectors, public agencies, businesses and homeowners through two distinct channels

In 1909, the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) was established to provide a reliable and economical source of irrigation water for approximately 72,000 acres of agriculture in, and surrounding, Escalon, Ripon and Manteca.

Copyright © 2009 newnet

Tags: photovoltaic, solar

This story was published on Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 10:31 am and is filed under North America, companies, solar. You can follow any responses to article entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Solar photovoltaic solutions designer Conergy installs world’s first thin-film solar energy tracking system”

1. solar panel says:

   7 April 2009 at 12:28 pm

   California definitely lead the way in the states for solar energy. Arnie is doing a good job when it comes to renewables

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