Jan 6 2010
SunWize Commercial Power Systems, the nationwide commercial installation division of SunWize Technologies, Inc., was recently awarded solar power contracts exceeding $7.8 million by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). The contracts consist of 10 solar hospital projects that call for more than 1.1 MW of photovoltaic (PV) systems to be installed in locations across the country.
The diverse set of rooftop and carport systems vary in size from under 50 kW to more than 400 kW, and are located on VA facilities from the East Coast to the South Pacific, including Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse, NY, Cheyenne, WY, Phoenix, AZ, two systems in Sacramento, CA, Vallejo, CA, Honolulu, HI, and Pago Pago, American Samoa. All the systems will utilize premium, high-efficiency SANYO 210 watt N-Series modules coupled with either SatCon or Fronius inverters. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2010.
The 10 projects represent the most recent collaboration in SunWize’s established relationship with the VA. In February 2009, SunWize installed the largest PV system in Texas, 337 kW on the roof of the VA’s Dallas Medical Center. Late in 2008, SunWize completed a 309 kW system on the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Medical Center in Loma Linda, CA. As a result of these and other projects, SunWize has developed an in-depth understanding of designing and constructing PV systems on hospitals and for government agencies.
“We are honored to be chosen to work with the VA again on their exemplary solar hospital initiative. The VA stringently screens companies to design and install logistically demanding solar solutions on its life-critical, 24/7 hospital facilities,” said David Kaltsas, executive vice president at SunWize. “SunWize continues to demonstrate to the VA our ability to successfully complete complex solar electric systems in any location.”
Federal Government agencies are under executive order to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by three percent a year or 30 percent by the end of 2015. In response, the VA developed a comprehensive, department-wide energy management plan and surveyed its major facilities for their renewable energy potential. The VA is at the forefront of solar energy implementation among Federal Government agencies.