CENTENNIAL, Colo., April 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
A new solar carport at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Centennial was officially unveiled today at a ribbon-cutting event featuring Kathleen Staks, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, Centennial mayor Stephanie Piko and other business and civic leaders. The new solar carport is expected to offset more than 12,700 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions over the next two decades—or roughly the equivalent of emissions from 29,000 barrels of oil.
"This solar carport is another example of Colorado’s leading role in clean energy technology," said Governor John Hickenlooper "It’s projects like these, and so many others around the state, that will help us achieve our climate goals."
The solar carport — only the second such carport in Centennial, which enjoys more than 250 days of sunshine each year — was designed and engineered by SunPower, and includes more than 540 high-efficiency SunPower solar panels that are expected to produce more than 400,950 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy during the first year, and 11.6 million kWh over its projected 30-year lifespan. The project also includes the installation of high-efficiency LED lighting to further reduce the annual energy use load by 79,000 kWh. This will allow the solar project to produce 85 percent of the building’s energy needs – all from a clean renewable source.
"Once again, Colorado is demonstrating that public and private collaboration can help us build a clean energy future that creates jobs and improves air quality," said Kathleen Staks, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office.
“I am happy to represent Centennial at today’s event to celebrate the second solar carport in our City. We recognize the importance of energy efficiency in order to be future ready,” says Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko. “The anticipated saving of energy and taxpayer dollars is a positive outcome for Centennial.”
The solar carport system was installed as a result of a public-private partnership between Centennial Sunrise Harvest, LLC, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the City of Centennial, Independent Power Systems and SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ:SPWR). The economics that made this project possible were provided by private investment capital from Centennial Sunrise Harvest, LLC, renewable energy credits (RECs) from Xcel Energy and federal tax credits (ITCs).
“This solar installation, in concert with our LED retrofit – both interior and exterior – will reduce the property’s overall energy requirements and provide 85 percent of its electrical needs for the next 25 to 30 years,” said Steven Ross of Centennial Sunrise Harvest, LLC. “Additionally, it will provide the CIS building with covered parking and clean, sustainable energy with no increased costs to the operations. We are grateful to our partners, to the City of Centennial and to our elected officials for their leadership in helping this project become a reality.”
“This project has been a fantastic example of effective leadership and collaboration between the people working for the local jurisdiction, multiple solutions providers, the utility, and the GSA,” said Diane Dandeneau, project leader for Independent Power Systems.
Project Details At-A-Glance:
- Installation of 253.8 kW solar carport, and LED lighting upgrade at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office, located at 12484 E. Weaver Place in Centennial, Colorado.
- Utilizing some of the highest efficiency panels on the market today, the project has 540 SunPower solar panels expected to produce more than 400,950 kWh of energy in its first year alone.
- The solar project is estimated to produce 85 percent of the building’s energy needs with clean renewable energy.
- This project created nearly 30 jobs, including installation and construction.
- The solar project is expected to save nearly 12,700 tons of CO2 emissions over the next 20 years—or the equivalent of emissions from more than 29,000 barrels of oil.
- Major partners include:
- Project leadership: Centennial Sunrise Harvest, LLC
- Governmental partners: U.S. General Services Administration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, City of Centennial
- Private partners: Independent Power Systems (general contractor), LED Supply, MAC Electric, SunPower Corp. and Xcel Energy.
- Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from Xcel and Investment Tax Credits have made this project possible.
About the Partners
Centennial Sunrise Harvest, LLC: Sunrise Harvest’s mission is to harvest the sun’s energy to produce clean, sustainable and renewable electricity. Sunrise Harvest invests in the engineering, design, installation and ownership of dispatchable photovoltaic solar systems. Our goal is harvest the sun’s energy to light the nation for a cleaner and brighter today and tomorrow.
Independent Power Systems (IPS): IPS is the general and electrical contractor for the Centennial Sunrise Harvest solar carport project. Since 1996, IPS has been designing and installing economical, aesthetically pleasing and self-sustaining renewable energy systems for residential and commercial customers in Colorado, Montana and Massachusetts.
LED Supply Co., LLC.: Founded in 2009 in Denver, Colorado, LED Supply Co. LLC is a wholesale distributor of energy efficient lighting technologies and controls. We specialize in LED lighting solutions for all interior and exterior commercial and industrial lighting applications. We strive to provide the highest level in customer service while offering all our products at competitive prices.