THiNKnrg Installs One of the Largest Solar Rooftops in Palo Alto at the Oshman Family JCC Using Trina Solar's Trinasmart Modules

PALO ALTO, Calif., Feb. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Palo Alto's second largest solar roof system has been installed at the Oshman Family JCC (OFJCC) campus to reduce energy costs and further its green building credentials. Developed through a partnership with THiNKnrg, the 397.5 kW system is also the largest installation of Trinasmart solar panels to date. The OFJCC will celebrate its new solar rooftop with a ribbon cutting on March 18.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140225/SF71299)

"Our Campus was built to be environmentally sensitive with many advanced features that earned us a Silver LEED certification," said OFJCC CEO Zack Bodner. "By installing this solar rooftop, we are furthering our goal of being an ecologically progressive organization, reducing both our carbon footprint and our energy costs."

The OFJCC solar array encompasses 1,840 solar panels spread across the rooftops of the 12 buildings of the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life (TKCJL), which also includes Moldaw Family Residences for senior living.

"This is one of the more innovative deals we have done," said Zach Rubin, CEO of THiNKnrg. "Solar is advantageous in Palo Alto, but it still has to make sense financially. We identified that the Taube Koret Campus had enough quality roof space to facilitate a large installation that could take advantage of incentives and be attractive to investors. We are thrilled this project was a success and look forward to working with other organizations who could benefit from similar electricity cost savings."

This solar project was financed by a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which required no capital cost to the OFJCC and utilized all available incentives. Conergy, a leading global solar photovoltaic downstream company, along with its owner Kawa Capital Management, structured the PPA to supply the OFJCC with renewable energy at less than half the current energy rate. The campus is expected to save $26,000 in the first year and an estimated $1.5 million in energy savings over the 20-year contract. The solar roof system will supply approximately 20 percent of the OFJCC's energy needs. 

"Trina Solar is committed to strong partnerships with leading companies to successfully complete installations of our high-quality panels for customers like the OFJCC," said Mark Mendenhall, President of Trina Solar Americas. "Our new Trinasmart panels provide a significant benefit to the project economics for our partners and to the communities where they are installed.  We look forward to installing many more such systems in the future."

The OFJCC solar installation is expected to generate 616,920 kilowatt-hours of electricity and reduce the TKCJL's carbon footprint by approximately over 9,500 tons of CO2 over the next 20 years, the equivalent of growing over 223,000 tree seedlings or removing 1,814 passenger cars from the road.

About THiNKnrg

Founded in 2010, THiNKnrg brings affordable turnkey solutions to organizations and facility managers across North and Latin America. Since its founding, THiNKnrg has realized over 10 million kWh in energy savings for its customers, through the deployment of mid to large scale solar installations, energy efficient lighting, and building automation. The THiNKnrg portfolio includes multiple projects in California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Ontario and El Salvador. For more please visit www.thinknrg.net.

About the Oshman Family JCC

The Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (OFJCC) on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life serves the South Peninsula through educational, social, cultural, fitness, sports and other programs. The OFJCC is a multi-generational Jewish neighborhood where all are welcome and which fosters new personal and community connections through rich and rewarding experiences. The OFJCC provides a common ground for Jewish institutions, other local groups, organizations and individuals to work, learn and play together for the betterment of the whole community. The OFJCC's registered trademark is Live Fully®. For more information, visit www.paloaltojcc.org or call (650) 223-8700.

About Trina

Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) is a global leader in photovoltaic modules, solutions and services. Founded in 1997 as a PV system integrator, Trina Solar today drives smart energy together with installers, distributors, utilities and developers worldwide. The company's industry-shaping position is based on innovation excellence, superior product quality, vertically integrated capabilities and environmental stewardship. For more information, please visit www.trinasolar.com.

Media Contacts:

For THiNKnrg
Technica Communications
Lisa Ann Pinkerton
[email protected]
408-806-9626

For Oshman Family JCC
Jessica Brooks
[email protected]
650-223-8663

SOURCE THiNKnrg