1.4 MW Rooftop Solar Installation Generates Enough Energy to Eliminate Electricity Costs
ASP rooftop solar power plant in Lake Mary, Florida
Lake Mary, FL., June 12, 2012 Advanced Solar Photonics, LLC (ASP), an American manufacturer of photovoltaic equipment and provider of turnkey alternative energy systems, today announced it is has become the first net-zero solar powered photovoltaic (PV) equipment manufacturing operation in North America.
A 1.4 MW rooftop solar plant is powering the equipment for the company’s 100 MW production capacity manufacturing plant. This synergy demonstrates a true closed-cycle PV generation and PV module manufacturing project. The solar installation is generating at least as much solar energy as it uses to manufacture the PV equipment. The result is zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually.
The renewable energy production has eliminated the company’s monthly electricity costs saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in operating expenses. “Investing in solar electricity for our own commercial facility allows us to lock in energy costs despite any rate increases” said Glenn Fayer, Chief Financial Officer “We are pre-paying for electricity at a fraction of current and future rates.” The decision to go net-zero was a commitment to use renewable energy to power the factory that makes the photovoltaic solar equipment. The financial payback was added motivation to make that happen.
The rooftop solar system features ASP 240 Watt crystalline silicon PV modules, ASP SunRail™ ballasted racking system, and Solectria Renewable inverters. With more than 5000 solar panels covering the rooftop, the installation will generate 1.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually.
Zero net energy consumption supports renewable energy harvesting as a means to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional buildings can consume up to 40% of the total fossil energy. Zero energy buildings are gaining importance and popularity. The zero net energy approach has potential to reduce carbon emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
###
Advanced Solar Photonics, LLC (ASP), is a manufacturing and R&D center for crystalline silicon solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for utility, commercial and residential applications. Based on the latest cell efficiency, light transmission, and encapsulation technologies, ASP focuses on high-efficiency, state-of-the-art solar PV modules ranging from 200 Watts to 400 Watts. ASP is the second largest producer of crystalline silicon PV panels in the United States and is one of the few producers in the US of Buy American Act compliant products suitable for government, military and municipal projects.