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Disclaimer: In mentioning First Solar and their Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) technology, I am "talking my book" - a phrase I learned from D-Squared - in a small way.
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11 years ago
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Let The Sunshine In
I was on travel last week. I find intriguing the application of solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and tide power generation on an industrial scale. In the meridian of a highway near the Denver airport they have an array, which I took a photo of.
It seems solar and wind are becoming quite practical as a matter of dollars and cents, even without having internalized the externalities of various power generation sources. From Richard Stevenson ("First Solar: Quest for the $1 Watt", IEEE Spectrum, V. 45, N. 8 (August 2008): 26-31), I learn to be competitive for off-peak power generation, solar cells need to be priced to generate electricity at $1 per watt. Apparently, a number of companies are developing competing technologies that may attain this goal in a couple of years.
Disclaimer: In mentioning First Solar and their Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) technology, I am "talking my book" - a phrase I learned from D-Squared - in a small way.
Disclaimer: In mentioning First Solar and their Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) technology, I am "talking my book" - a phrase I learned from D-Squared - in a small way.
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Nation’s Most Visible Solar Array Dedicated at
Denver International Airport
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper Joins with Project Partners
—MMA Renewable Ventures, WorldWater, and Sharp- to Celebrate Solar Electric System Generating Clean Power at
Fifth Busiest U.S. Airport
DENVER, CO. On August 19, 2008, a two megawatt (MW) solar energy system was dedicated at Denver International Airport (DIA). The solar photovoltaic system, spanning seven and a half acres at the airport’s entrance, will generate over three million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually, demonstrating Denver’s commitment to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere by more than 6.3 million pounds each year.
Celebrating the system’s dedication was Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, together with the following executives and dignitaries: DIA Aviation Manager Kim Day; MMA Renewable Ventures CEO Matt Cheney; Frank Smith, CEO, WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp.; and Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group.
MMA Renewable Ventures, a subsidiary of Municipal Mortgage & Equity, LLC “MuniMae” (OTC:MMAB.PK) which financed, owns and operates the two megawatt system, joined with WorldWater (OTC BB: WWAT.OB) and Denver International Airport to develop an innovative public-private partnership, leveraging tax credits and incentives to finance this landmark solar power system. This partnership enabled the City of Denver and Denver International Airport to deploy this solar array under a long-term contract or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Designed and installed by WorldWater, using more than 9,200 Sharp solar panels, the new ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays employ a single-axis tracking system that follows the sun during the day for greater efficiency and energy production.
"This installation at Denver International Airport fits with our Greenprint Denver action agenda for sustainability and our pledge to do all that we can to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Mayor John Hickenlooper. “We are proud to have such a large and prominently placed solar power system at DIA. This installation is both a symbol and a practical example of the City’s commitment to renewable energy.”
“By securing power through a power purchase agreement rather than major capital investment, DIA will benefit from a renewable energy system that is cost-effective from its very first day of operation, and for years to come,” said Matt Cheney, CEO of MMA Renewable Ventures. “Our collaborative effort serves as an example of how successful public-private partnerships can help municipal facilities make the most of tax credits and other incentives available for solar energy.”
Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group, noted, “As a leading global solar provider, Sharp is proud to be part of this tremendous effort to help Denver achieve its ambitious sustainability goals. This solar PV system will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electricity costs, and grid constraints – while helping to improve Denver’s air quality and the region’s overall environment.”
Frank Smith, CEO of WorldWater commented, “We are delighted that such a major metropolitan airport as Denver International has embarked on a solar energy system that is as impressive in scope as this two megawatt installation, which is the equivalent in size to seven football fields. In addition, our expertise in designing and installing commercial-scale solar systems enabled us to address the complex power needs of a major transportation hub like Denver International.”
The project is part of the Xcel Energy Solar*Rewards program and will receive a rebate
to offset the upfront construction costs. Xcel Energy will purchase the renewable energy credits from the clean electricity produced in support of Colorado’s Renewable Energy Standard, which requires large utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable energy sources by 2020.
One of three U.S. airports to be accepted into the Environmental Protection Agency's National Performance Track Program, DIA’s solar project illustrates how sustainable development can work as an integral operating principle – while the airport maintains a successful, profitable business, breaking records for passenger traffic and earning high customer satisfaction ratings. The array is one of the largest solar installations at any public airport in the U.S.
Thanks for the explanation.
Thank you, thats very interesting information. I need to share with my friends.
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