Affordable Solar Completes Sunport Phase III Solar Project

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Mayor Richard J. Berry and representatives from Affordable Solar, PNM and the Albuquerque International Sunport officially turned on Phase III of a solar array mounted on the airport's parking structure.  Affordable Solar completed and interconnect the 411kW (DC), solar system for the Albuquerque Sunport May 23, 2012. With Phase III, Sunport reaches 1Megawatt (MW) in solar power capacity. The Phase III of renewable power generation to the airport stimulates the local economy and demonstrates the City of Albuquerque's environmental leadership.

The project, designed as a long term hedge against rising utility costs, provides power during peak hours when the grid needs it most. Taking advantage of the VALE (voluntary airport low emissions) Federal Aviation Agency grant, Phase III of the project added 1,750 panels (411kW) to the parking canopies on the top deck of the public parking garage. The additional solar panels will offset approximately $30,000 in annual energy cost--savings the Sunport project creates for the City of Albuquerque.

Phase III of the low profile system, designed and integrated by Albuquerque based Affordable Solar, will annually replace around 600,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of coal generated energy with clean, renewable energy--enough electricity to power 100 homes.

In addition to reducing utility bills, the Sunport's solar energy project provided a welcome boost to the local construction industry and local manufacturers. Affordable Solar, a locally owned company, utilized Albuquerque manufactured Schott Solar panels and employed multiple local small businesses and construction trades: B&D Industries and National Roofing, among others.

Affordable Solar delivered the project on time and budget while working proactively with the City of Albuquerque Airport operations officials, airport police, City inspectors, and PNM with minimal disruption to airport operations.

Nationwide, installations are booming, jobs are being created, and solar has proven itself as a reliable energy source. Last year, prices for PV dropped 20%, while U.S. installations grew 109% over 2010.* Projects like the Albuquerque Sunport reflect how solar industry growth will reduce long term costs and create jobs in the U.S. and local economy. Nationally, the solar industry employs over 100,000 people. In New Mexico, the renewable energy sector created 15% of the total 35,800 new green jobs in 2011. **

* http://www.greentechmedia.com/research/ussmi
**http://www.greenjobs.state.nm.us/pdf/GreenJobsReport-Final5-16-11.pdf
http://www.greentechmedia.com/images/uploads/2011-in-review-ussmi.jpg

Project snapshot: 
Site: Parking Canopies on top deck, Albuquerque International Airport Public Parking Garage (Sunport, Albuquerque, NM) 
Solar array size: 411.25kW DC
Solar system AC power capacity: 375kW AC
Solar panels: 1750 Schott Poly 235W (manufactured in Schott's state-of-the art Albuquerque facility)
Inverter: Satcon PowerGate Plus 375kW
Solar Array Racking: Schletter
Clean, Renewable Energy Generation: approx. 600,000 kWh / Year
Annual Electricity Cost Savings: approx. $30,000 / Year
Project Completed: May 2012
Project Lifecycle: 25+ years.

For more information on this release or to schedule an interview, please contact Rachel Hillier 505.994.4235 or via email at [email protected]

About Affordable Solar
Affordable Solar, an Albuquerque-based company provides solar project engineering, design, development, construction, solar product distribution and partner dealer support.  Since 1998, Affordable Solar has supplied over 12,000 PV systems to commercial, industrial, scientific, community, residential customers in 96 countries.  Affordable Solar's NABCEP certified designers, installers and instructors ensure customers receive the highest quality system design, product recommendations, and installation.  A PV industry leader, Affordable Solar is one of the largest solar equipment suppliers in the US. In 2009, Affordable Solar was recognized as New Mexico's fastest growing company in the over-$10M revenue category and received a Best Places to Work awards in 2008, 2009, and 2010. 

SOURCE Affordable Solar