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November
21, 2008
San
Jose, CA, USA: San Jose Tech Museum Dedicates 185 kilowatt Solar
System
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The New PV System at the San Jose Tech Museum of Innovation
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SunPower
Corporation, Helio Micro Utility and the San Jose Tech Museum
of Innovation, today joined with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and
other local officials to dedicate a 185-kilowatt solar-electric
system that will be showcased at The Tech. This is the first commercial
solar system on a downtown San Jose building.
“Solar
power is integral to San Jose’s Green Vision,” said Reed. “The
partnership between The Tech, SunPower and Helio Micro Utility
demonstrates the type of efforts we’d like to see throughout the
city as San Jose implements its clean tech strategy with a goal
of becoming a world leader in solar technology. I am pleased to
dedicate this system and encourage other companies and organizations
to consider moving to clean, renewable energy.”
As
an alternative to an outright purchase of the commercial system
itself, The Tech will buy electricity for the facility from Helio
Micro Utility’s Green Energy Community Investment Fund, a fund
jointly owned with Citi Community Capital. The Fund will also
own the associated renewable energy credits and other environmental
attributes, which it may retire or sell.
The
electricity will be competitively priced against retail rates,
providing The Tech with a long-term hedge against rising peak
power prices.
“Solar
technology is no longer just blue-sky research. It’s real, it’s
taken hold, and The Tech is yet again leading the way in demonstrating
its very tangible benefits,” said Peter Friess, president of The
Tech.
“We
are proud to partner with SunPower to be the first downtown City
owned building to host this significant solar array.” Designed
and installed by SunPower, the system features SunPower® T10 Solar
Roof Tiles, equipped with SunPower solar panels, the most efficient
on the market today.
T10
Solar Roof Tiles are non-roof penetrating and tilt at a 10-degree
angle to increase energy capture. The system, which is located
atop the roof of Parkside Hall, a facility adjacent to the Tech’s
main structure, will generate enough electricity to match approximately
10 percent of The Tech’s electricity use.
“We
are pleased to partner with The Tech to bring affordable, clean,
reliable solar power to a key destination point in downtown San
Jose,” said Tom Werner, CEO of SunPower Corp. “The high-efficiency
SunPower solar system that the Tech is hosting on its roof will
maximize the amount of energy produced within the limited roof
space, enhancing both the environmental and financial benefits.”
Further details about: SunPower,
HelioMicro
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