Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation Installs Solar Panels

The Hertz Corporation's solar energy program continues to expand with the installation of solar electric systems at various Hertz locations.

The most recent installation was completed at a Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC) facility in Commerce City, Colorado. Hertz is the first equipment rental corporation in the nation to announce the completion of a solar power facility.

Installation of solar panels will continue at the following HERC locations in the upcoming months: Tucson, AZ, Augusta, GA, Bogart, GA, Norcross, GA, Boston, MA, Baltimore, MD, Newark, NJ, and Harrisburg, PA.

The project is a part of Hertz's initiative to install solar electric systems across the United States. Earlier this year, Hertz announced that it will be completing the installation of solar electric systems at 16 Hertz facilities throughout the United States. Other locations include Hertz facilities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Everphoton Launches MSPS-1 Mobile Solar Power Supply Station

Everphoton has launched its latest design of HCPV module. With well-designed Fresnel lens, high-efficiency triple junction compound semiconductor solar cells (cell efficiency up to 35%), and advanced cell packaging technology, compact modules can achieve 25% solar energy conversion efficiency.
As HCPV becomes a trend in the photovoltaic market, more and more companies are aware of the high efficiencies and performance of the new system. After just months of Everphoton's first generation standard module, Everphoton again improved the design and came up with the latest Compact HCPV solar module.
With smaller cells (2.5x2.5mm) and higher light concentration ration (about 700x), the thickness of the module can also be reduced by 50%. Unlike the si-base solar cells, III V compound semi-conductor cell dissipate heat faster due to smaller cell size, so no heat sink or cooler is required for the system.
Together with Compact modules, there is another innovative design offered to the market by Everphoton, the MSPS-1 - Mobile Solar Power Supply. Loaded with 21 Compact modules, the MSPS-1 generates 1 kW power at peak. The 3.5L truck increases the mobility to the 1kw power station, and makes it capable of powering remote area, outdoor events, or electrical vehicles.
"Now people can enjoy the convenient and clear energy from the Sun, anytime and anywhere," says Everphoton, "we believe MSPS-1 can not only replace traditional fossil-fuel based generators but also act as a mobile power station."
Everphoton was founded in 2007 with investments from global top five LED packaging house Everlight Electronics and electronic material producer Yee Fong Chemical. Everlight is one of the major shareholders of Everphoton and Epistar.

Powell's Books Invests In Solar Energy

Powell's Books, Oregon's beloved institution and one of the nation's largest booksellers now has another "largest" claim to add to its list. In December 2008, the company will begin harnessing the sun's power with one of the largest solar electric installations in the State of Oregon.
Construction is well underway on a 100-kilowatt photovoltaic system positioned on the spacious roof of Powell's 60,000 square foot warehouse in NW Portland, a building that is home to Powells.com. The solar electric system, developed and installed by contractor Energy Design, includes 540 solar panels (Mistubishi UD5 series) that will provide about one-forth of the building's electricity.
Powell's confidence in proceeding with a solar installation is largely due to the help of architect Ernest R. Munch, whose firm has been involved with some of the largest solar installations in the West, and through project development guidance provided by Doug Boleyn, P.E. from Cascade Solar Consulting.
Vince McClellan, Energy Design's owner, is enthusiastic about the project. "It has been exciting to work with Powell's to design a system customized for their specific needs. We collaborated with the engineering firm Nishkian Dean to create a custom design that will optimize the electricity produced by the solar electric system and last the 40-year life span of the solar panels. It's a great way to reduce business costs and help reduce our dependence on coal power. About 40% of the electricity consumed in Oregon last year was coal generated."
The decision to invest in solar power is a natural fit with the company's commitment to environmental responsibility, a focus that is currently led by a "green" committee at Powell's.
According to Michael Powell, "It made perfect sense for our business financially, and it supports our values as a company. We are continually looking for ways for our business to lessen its impact on the environment. "
Powell's Books, along with many other prominent Oregon businesses are installing photovoltaic power systems because it saves companies money in the end. Powell's was able to take advantage of two tax credits and an Oregon Energy Trust incentive in addition to using an accelerated depreciation method of accounting for the system.
Despite the relatively low cost of electricity in Oregon, the payback on Powell's original investment will happen in a short five-year timeframe, just a fraction of the system's life span. Combined with the federal tax credit that was recently renewed by Congress for another eight years, the numerous incentives specific to Oregon make the state one of the best places to install solar systems in the U.S.
Solar power in Oregon? Oregon's very rainy climate has some skeptics wondering about the viability of solar power, but according to McClellan, "A solar array in the Willamette Valley will produce about 70% of the energy that an array in southern Arizona will produce. Because utility companies offer credit on a yearly basis for power fed back to the grid, the focus is on how much sunshine we receive over a year rather than when it shines."

Cub Foods Opens State-Of-The-Art Green Grocery Store

Cub Foods has announced the grand opening of a one-of-a-kind store. Upon approval, the store will become Minnesota's first, and one of the nation's few, new grocery stores to successfully achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification. This new Cub Foods will be located in the Phalen neighborhood of St. Paul, Minn.
Cub Foods has also received an award from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) GreenChill Partnership at Gold-Level Certification. The award is given for outstanding use of environmentally friendly refrigeration technology.
Cub customers will experience a unique shopping environment from the moment they step inside. The new 62,900-square-foot store will feature:
+ 44 skylights that will illuminate 75 percent of regularly occupied spaces using a solar powered GPS system that tracks and redirects sunlight as needed.
+ The first commercial parking lot in Minnesota to be illuminated using only LED lights that only need to be replaced every 40 years and provide 50 percent energy savings.
+ Half of the waste from buildings torn down on the construction site has been reused in the construction of the new building or recycled.
+ 35 percent savings in lighting costs compared to typical Cub stores.
+ A maintenance-free floor that eliminates the need for chemicals during the cleaning process.
+ A landscape irrigation system that uses 50 percent less water than typical systems.
+ 75 percent of the building construction waste will not end up in landfills. Instead, it will be recycled and turned into other useful materials.
"Environmental stewardship, living-wage jobs and urban revitalization are not mutually exclusive goals," said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. "This store shows that smart investments can be good for neighborhoods, good for the environment and good for a company's bottom line."
"The innovations Cub Foods brings to the St. Paul Phalen community with its new LEED store are exceptional. The commitment Cub is making to the long-term well-being of the environment, their customers and employees truly exemplifies what our hometown grocers are all about," said Jamie Pfuhl, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association.
"Cub is pleased to open a store in a community that was previously underserved," said Mark Halvorson, store director, Phalen Cub Foods. "We enjoy giving back to the community and now we're also giving back to the environment."
The store will continue to offer Cub shoppers a convenient shopping experience. The fresh deli and meat counters will offer a broader selection of fresh seafood. The store will also feature an expanded global department offering foods from around the world. Other amenities include a pharmacy with a drive-thru window and a full-service TCF Bank.

Inner-City College Solar Project Major Step Toward Energy Independence

As we find ourselves faced with escalating fuel costs and depleting natural resources, the clamor for answers is growing every day. With its latest inner-city solar project at L.A. Southwest College (LASC), the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is doing more than just listening to the call for action -- it is continuing its ambitious move toward ultimately declaring energy independence for the entire district.
LASC's new four (4) megawatt (MW) solar project, which was designed and constructed by Chevron Energy Solutions, marks another major milestone in LACCD's sustained efforts to make its colleges carbon neutral through its Renewable Energy Plan.
This new project also solidifies the District's commitment to "greening" the inner-city, and will serve as a living model for under-served students, allowing them to study renewable technologies as it relates to design, construction, chemistry and physics.
Earlier this year, in partnership with Chevron Energy Solutions, the District unveiled a 1.2 MW project at East L.A. College -- another inner-city campus. Both projects will serve to prepare students for the "green collar" jobs of the 21st century.
When completed, the District's projects will comprise one of the largest urban solar generation facilities in the United States.
"This project is another major push toward our ultimate goal to declare our energy independence and foster awareness of green concepts and technology in traditionally underserved areas," said Dr. Marshall Drummond, chancellor, Los Angeles Community College District.
"We are energized by Southwest's project, as it gives us an exciting chance to highlight the District's commitment to building green and to developing a new pipeline of eco-conscious workers for the green workforce."
The LACCD spends approximately $12 million annually on energy; LASC spent $1.8 million in 2007 alone. The first phase of LASC's green-energy program will allow the College to save the District $280,000 per year and meet all of the school's electric needs by generating more than 5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.
The photovoltaic farms will consist of two (2) MW arrays mounted atop five carport structures, one (1) MW integrated onto building rooftops and one (1) MW installed on ground-mounted arrays with tracking systems.
In total, the campus will gain four (4) megawatts of solar power, which is expected to offset production of 3,800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually - equivalent to removing 1,050 cars from the road. Both phases of the project are expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
LASC is also going to be utilizing additional green energy technologies, including Urban Wind Generation, which is designed to capture the accelerated wind currents as they sweep between and over campus buildings. Initially, the College is planning on installing a small array of six one (1) kilowatt units, with more units planned over time.
A Geothermal Heat Exchange system will also use the natural constant ambient temperature of the Earth to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. The process works in much the same way as standard air conditioner, except a geothermal system uses water or loop fluid that remains at a constant temperature.
"I'm proud of the steps the District has taken to be a leader in the area of clean energy," said Kelly G. Candaele, president, Board of Trustees, LACCD. "Each energy project we unveil is a tangible symbol of the commitment we have made to operate better as a District and cause less negative impact on our environment and our future."
LASC is also requesting a $1.4 million financial incentive over a five year period from the California Solar Initiative Program for the Photovoltaic Phase of the program.
The Program offers customers installing up to one (1) MW of solar panels a financial incentive based on performance, which can be used to offset the cost of the system over a five year period. Additional funding will be pursued for the renewable component of the program through State, Federal and Utility agencies.
Through the District's continued partnership with Chevron Energy Solutions, it has been able to meet its energy independence goals. Chevron Energy Solutions has developed hundreds of projects involving energy efficiency or renewable power for education, government and business customers in the U.S. since 2000.
"The Los Angeles Community College District and other educational institutions are using solar projects to reduce their carbon footprint, achieve cost savings and teach their students about renewable energy," said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions. "We are delighted to be a partner in this clean energy program."