El Paso Electric Invests in First Utility Owned CPV Project in Texas, Utilizing SolFocus Technology
Texas utility takes advantage of high solar resources with most efficient solar technology available
El Paso, Texas, October 28, 2011 – SolFocus and its solar developer partner Solar Smart Living, today announced that they have completed a 53 kW concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) installation which will be owned by El Paso Electric. The solar power installation was developed by El Paso-based Solar Smart Living using six SolFocus SF-1100S tracking CPV systems. The installation is located at El Paso Electric's substation facility.
"This project signifies El Paso Electric's continued commitment to add renewable energy generation to the region in a sustainable manner," said Rocky Miracle, Senior Vice President of Corporate Planning and Development for El Paso Electric. "The installation is El Paso Electric's first owned facility with CPV technology and dual-axis tracking."
El Paso Electric is using the installment, in part, to evaluate CPV's potential in the region. In solar-rich places like El Paso, SolFocus CPV technology yields significantly more energy than any other solar technology.
"SolFocus systems are ideal for deployment in the very sunny locations that El Paso Electric serves," said Mark Crowley, CEO of SolFocus. "SolFocus is eager to work with its partners Solar Smart Living and El Paso Electric to show how CPV can deliver the strongest solar energy harvest available for the region. We are finding that municipalities throughout the sunny Southwest U.S. are seeing the benefit of high efficiency technology in providing them low cost solar energy."
"The SolFocus systems are quite flexible to install, allowing us to deliver significant electricity output from a small, irregular-shaped piece of land with minimal construction time," said Larry Perea, president of Solar Smart Living.
Solar Smart Living, a full-service solar integration and green building consulting company, oversaw the engineering, procurement and installment of the system.
SolFocus CPV technology employs a system of patented reflective optics to concentrate sunlight 650 times onto small, highly efficient solar cells. The SolFocus SF- SF-1100S system deployed in El Paso features dual-axis tracking for consistent energy delivery. It also offers environmental benefits including no water usage for energy production, a small land footprint with dual use potential, and no permanent shadowing or wildlife corridor disruption. Additionally, SolFocus CPV provides the shortest energy payback and lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of any solar technology.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held today during a tour offered as part of the Border Energy Forum. Local elected officials will join executives from El Paso Electric, SolFocus and Solar Smart Living for the event. The tour will leave from the El Paso Convention Center at 1:00 p.m. and will stop at the SolFocus installation, along with visits to other innovative energy projects happening around the city.
About SolFocus
SolFocus is a leading developer and manufacturer of solar energy systems based on Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) technology. The company's mission is to deliver the lowest cost of solar energy in high solar resource regions of the world. Achieving this objective starts with developing industry-leading, high-efficiency products which deliver the highest energy harvest of any technology available today. When combined with volume manufacturing and component sourcing the technology drives delivery and operation costs to their lowest. In addition to low costs, SolFocus produces product that provides extended reliability and field durability, critical requirements when deploying energy systems which will remain productive in the field for over 25 years. Currently SolFocus is actively deploying product around the globe. SolFocus products can be seen operating in Arizona, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Malaysia. SolFocus CPV systems are certified to the rigorous standards of IEC 62108, and are backed by Munich Re performance insurance. For more information on SolFocus visit www.solfocus.com
About Solar Smart Living
As a full-service solar integration engineering company, Solar Smart Living, LLC has the engineering and technical resources, the regional footprint, and the depth of know-how and experience to help clients achieve success with their solar integration and energy efficiency projects. Solar Smart Living's vision is "sustainable energy independence." Our mission is to provide our clients "eco friendly and sustainable solutions." Solar Smart Living delivers turn-key solar integration projects that provide exceptional value to our clients. Our clients include residential, commercial, industrial, and government entities. Solar Smart Living is committed to build relationships that forge a partnership dedicated to the pursuit of our nation's sustainable energy independence. With engineers that have been trained by leading solar manufacturers, are US Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professionals, North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Certified PV Installers, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers licensed electricians, Solar Smart Living is ready to work with you on your next sustainable project. For additional information on Solar Smart Living please visit www.SolarSmartLiving.com.
