International Airport Launches 1.6MW Solar Power System

A second large-scale solar power system at Denver International Airport (DIA) recently became operational; this new 1.6 MW Sharp solar power array powers the airport’s fuel-storage and distribution facility.

Denver International Airport

The photovoltaic system was financed and developed by MP2 Partners and Oak Leaf Partners, constructed by Quanta, and is comprised of approximately 7,400 Sharp solar panels. Now that it is operational, the new solar system provides approximately 100 percent of the fuel farm’s electricity consumption.

This solar PV system, featuring modules made in the U.S., will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electricity costs, and grid constraints – while helping to improve Denver’s air quality.

DIA is buying electricity generated by the system at a rate equal to 90 percent of the local utility, Xcel Energy’s rate. Construction of the 1.6 MW solar power system commenced in September 2009, and was completed in December 2009. The array is sited on approximately nine acres north of the airport’s airfield.

www.sharpusa.com

Chevron Tech To Build 1MW PV Solar Facility In New Mexico

In the presence of Governor Bill Richardson, Chevron Mining Inc. announced that sister company Chevron Technology Ventures (CTV), will build a one megawatt concentrating photovoltaic solar facility on the tailing site of CMI’s molybdenum mine in Questa, New Mexico.  The project will demonstrate and evaluate an emerging solar technology and a practical use of previously impacted land.

The electricity produced will be sold to Kit Carson Electric Cooperative through a power purchase agreement.  Project construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2010 and conclude by year-end.

The facility will include approximately 175 solar panels placed on about 20 acres of the Questa Mine’s tailings site.  The project will be implemented in conjunction with an evaluation of various soil cover depths for closure of the tailing facility at the end of mining operations.

Chevron will install concentrating photovoltaic technology that uses lenses to collect and focus direct sunlight onto layers of high efficiency cells. This technology is expected to work best in areas which have higher direct solar radiation such as New Mexico. Concentrix Solar GmbH has been selected by CTV to provide the concentrating photovoltaic system.

www.chevron.com