SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. and Consolidated Solar Technologies Inaugurate Photovoltaic Solar Installation at Dulce High School

DULCE, N.M., March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. (SCHOTT Solar) and Albuquerque-based Consolidated Solar Technologies (CST) today inaugurated a 50 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic (PV) solar power system at Dulce High School. The system is the fourth in the state to be funded through a grant system initiated in 2009 using funds from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

This ground-mounted system uses more than 200 Albuquerque-made SCHOTT POLY® solar modules and will yield an energy savings to the school of around $15,000 annually. Dulce Independent Schools, which consists of three state-of-the-art learning facilities on the Jicarilla Apache Nation reservation, is one of 15 school districts in the state to be selected through the competitive grant process.

"Because Dulce and the Jicarilla Apache Nation started developing solar education projects more than ten years ago, it was crucial to have a quality partner and proven solar components," said James Lesher, Dulce Independent Schools superintendent. "Working with Consolidated Solar Technologies for the system's design and construction and SCHOTT for high-quality solar panels accomplished both goals."

The array will be integrated into calculus, engineering, physics and other classes using interactive, real-time system monitoring software. This is the second solar array to incorporate PV solar education at Dulce High School. The first was initiated through a Department of Energy grant in 1999, which allowed teachers, students and the community to monitor the electricity generated by the installation.

SCHOTT Solar, whose flagship manufacturing facility opened on the south side of Albuquerque in 2009, employs more than 300 local workers and is a growing economic driver of New Mexico's solar industry.

"SCHOTT Solar is dedicated to the development of a strong solar industry in New Mexico and across the nation with our proven, high-quality modules," said Tom Hecht, President and Chief Sales Officer of SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc.  "Our partnership with CST and the Dulce Independent School system is a great example of how solar can enrich local education, create local jobs and bring energy savings to the district. Together, we have harnessed New Mexico's abundant sunshine and created truly domestic energy."

The system was installed by Consolidated Solar Technologies, an Albuquerque systems integrator with many years' experience in electrical design and building for large commercial properties.

"SCHOTT is a valuable partner to us not only for the high-quality panels they produce in Albuquerque, but their responsiveness to our needs," said Mike Mattioli, managing director of CST. "With their help, Consolidated Solar Tech was able to develop the Dulce system and deliver ahead of schedule. The result is a system that is operating today to produce clean renewable energy for Dulce High School."

About SCHOTT Solar

SCHOTT Solar, with its high quality products, enables the potential of the sun as a nearly inexhaustible source of energy to be utilized. SCHOTT Solar produces important components for photovoltaic applications and solar energy power plants. In the production of receivers for solar power plants, SCHOTT Solar sees itself as a market and technology leader. Receivers from SCHOTT Solar are key components in large-scale power plants that generate electricity from solar energy centrally on the basis of parabolic trough technology and are able to supply entire cities with power. SCHOTT Solar has production facilities in Germany, the Czech Republic, the USA and Spain. The innovative power and technological competence of the company date back to the late 1950s. SCHOTT Solar is a wholly owned subsidiary of the international SCHOTT group. SCHOTT develops special materials, components and systems for the household appliance, pharmaceutical, solar energy, electronics, optical and automotive industries. With approximately 17,000 employees producing worldwide sales of approximately $3 billion. In North America, SCHOTT's holding company SCHOTT Corporation and its subsidiary SCHOTT North America, Inc. and their affiliates employ about 3,000 people in 14 production operations with 6 sales offices.

The company's technological and economic expertise is closely linked with its social and ecological responsibilities.

SOURCE SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc.