Independent Energy Solutions to Help U.S. Government / GSA 'Go Solar'

VISTA, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent Energy Solutions, Inc. (IES), a leading solar energy development and construction firm, today announced it has been awarded a major contract by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to design and build a 914 kilowatt solar electric (photovoltaic or PV) system. The system, now being installed on the rooftop of the Chet Holifield Federal Building in Laguna Niguel, California, is the first utility-scale PV project for GSA.

When completed, the installation should produce more than 1.4 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually or enough to power roughly 130 homes. It will also save about 1.8 million pounds of CO2 gas yearly – equal to taking 800 cars off the road. Funding is coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the project will be used by the GSA as a case study and reference point for possible future solar projects.

According to GSA Region 9 Energy and Sustainability Branch project manager, Kristine Walker, "By increasing the U.S. government's use of solar power, we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help create green energy jobs now and for the future.  With IES based here in Southern California, we also ensure those jobs stay in the community."

IES chief operating officer, George Gisel, said, "Because this is an ARRA project, we're using all 'made-in-the-USA' components. The 3,808 silicon PV modules are produced by Solarworld in Camarillo, California; the inverters come from Advanced Energy / PV Powered in Oregon; and the roof mounting system is manufactured by Sunlink in California."

"Our extensive experience designing and building large-scale solar systems for the U.S. military and  major utilities enables us to deliver projects like this quickly, reliably and cost effectively. We're pleased to partner with the GSA on this high profile project," Gisel added.

When finished, the system will be the 2nd largest photovoltaic installation in Orange County.

Founded in 1998, Independent Energy Solutions, Inc. (IES) is a leading provider of renewable energy and solar electric (photovoltaic) systems. IES provides design, build, procurement, project management, training and maintenance services to a broad spectrum of customers including commercial, military, public agencies, nonprofit and education. For more information about IES, please visit http://www.indenergysolutions.com or call (760) 752-9706.

SOURCE Independent Energy Solutions, Inc.