PGE and ODOT Commemorate the Solar Highway Milestone

October 26 2011 - Aurora Oregon; Representatives from Portland General Electric, the Oregon Department of Transportation, Five Stars International and Contractors working on the Solar Highway 1.745 Megawatt project joined Advanced Energy Systems at the construction site today to mark the milestone surrounding the beginning of the Solar World module installation. With the final post driven in the six acre site, and over 50% of the Haticon Racking assembled it was time to start mounting the 250 watt solar panels. Assisting in unpacking the first module was the project brainchild, Allison Hamilton of ODOT. Other notables from ODOT were Lynn Aveberck, and Lynn Frank of Five Stars International. PGE representatives included Mark Osborne, Dawn Wilde, and Robert Ferraro.

When completed, the project will provide enough electricity to offset the use of both the North and Southbound rest areas at the project location, approximately 15 miles South of Portland Oregon on Interstate 5. As the primary Solar Contractor on the project, Advanced Energy Systems teamed up with SunStall Corporation for the racking installation, and Christensen Electric of Portland for the primary electrical installation.

Robert Ferraro of PGE

Allison Hamilton of ODOT unpacks the first module.

 

Lynn Averbeck (left) and Allison Hamilton of ODOT

Mark Osborn, Dawn Wilde and Robert Ferraro of PGE

Alex Soo (Aadland Evans Constructors) with Allison Hamilton and Lynn Averbeck (ODOT)

Allison Hamilton and Lynn Frank

Craig Strobeck (Advanced Energy Systems) and Helge of SunStall

Jeff Zimmerman of Christensen Electric

Oregon Solar Highway Construction in High Gear

As of October 20th, the Oregon Solar Highway project was in high gear. Favorable weather has allowed the post installation to move at a rapid pace. Racking assembly has begun as the preliminary electrical infrastructure is back filled. The image below shows the state of construction on October 18th, 2011.

1.75MW Oregon Solar Highway Project by Advanced Energy Systems.

Current electrical work is being performed by Christensen Electric of Portland, Oregon. Specialized pile driving equipment from Sunstall is being used to drive the Sigma posts and install the Haticon racking system which will support the installation of nearly 7,000 SolarWorld 250 watt modules. Installation of the PV Powered 260kW inverters is also in progress. Project commissioning is slated for January 2012.

The project is being built on land owned by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) with the project owner being Portland General Electric (PGE). General contract or is Adland Evans Constructors of Portland, with the complete design and solar scope being coordinated by Advanced Energy Systems, LLC., of Eugene.

For more information contact Advanced Energy Systems. 1-800-399-1596.

Advanced Energy Systems Teams Up with King Estate Winery, SolarCity, and Lane Electric for Huge Winery Project.

Press Release;

King Estate Winery and Advanced Energy Systems Team Up with SolarCity and Lane Electric Co-op, to Install the Largest Solar Power System at a Winery in Pacific Northwest.

Organic winery furthers commitment to environmental stewardship with installation of large-scale solar power system.

Eugene, Ore., October 12, 2011 - King Estate Winery, and Oregon producer of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir is teaming up with SolarCity, a national leader in solar power design financing, installation, monitoring and energy efficiency services, as well as Lane Electric Co-op, and Advanced Energy Systems, LLC. of Eugene to install the largest solar power system at a winery in the Pacific Northwest. Construction on the King Estate 973.84 kilowatt (kW) solar system is slated to begin this month.

This King Estate solar power system is a collaboration between several partners: Advanced Energy Systems, which developed the project; SolarCity, which provided financing and integration support; and Lane Electric as the utility partner. The system's 4,144 solar panels are expected to eliminate more than 38 million pounds of carbon dioxide over the next 25 years. This amount is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 3,381 passenger cars or 1.9 million gallons of gasoline. The King Estate solar power system is large enough to offset the annual power usage of approximately 100 residential homes.

"Our philosophy is rooted in sustainable agriculture and environmentally-conscious business practices, as evidenced by our dedication to organic farming. Installing a large-scale solar power system is a natural progression for us," said Ed King, CEO & co-founder of King Estate. "

Lane Electric Co-op is also exploring the potential for incorporating additional solar, wave, geothermal, landfill gasification and other green resources into their resource portfolio. These resources will help solidify Lane Electric's future power supply needs and assist them in meeting the State of Oregon's Renewable Portfolio Standards.

"The idea of renewable energy is not at all new for Lane Electric. This project is very exciting in that it dovetails perfectly with Lane Electric's mission and vision for renewable energy as we look to the future. It is good for our members, the co-op and the environment", notes Rick Crinklaw, general manager for Lane Electric.

Visitors to the Winery can check out the solar system for themselves, and sample King Estate's critically acclaimed wines, by visiting the tasting room 20 miles southwest of Eugene. OR. Location and directions are available at www.kingestate.com.

About Advanced Energy Systems
Advanced Energy Systems LLC, headquartered in Eugene, OR is distinguished as the leading Oregon-based solar energy facilities developer and contractor. Over the last decade, the company has installed several megawatts of solar power capacity throughout the state, including the unique 'Oregon Solar Highway'. With several dozen installations built for public and private entities, and many more for residential customers, Advanced Energy Systems delivers turn-key photovoltaic and solar thermal projects that enable clients to invest in clean energy garnering positive returns for themselves, their community, and the environment.
For more information visit Advanced Energy Systems at www.aesrenew.com

Oregon Solar Highway project moving forward

The 1.75 megawatt Oregon Solar Highway project that Advanced Energy Systems, LLC. has designed is continuing to progress. Currently, underground electrical work is in progress as a precursor to the installation of the posts, and solar module racking system. Advanced Energy Systems, working with Christensen Electric are on schedule for this, the largest solar highway project in the nation. Beginning the week of October 10, post and module mounting systems will begin construction on the North end of the site, with an anticipated duration of 6-8 weeks for racking completion. The solar highway project is located at Milepost 282, behind the Baldock rest area off of Interstate 5 in Oregon, and is recognized as the largest solar installation along an interstate in the Nation.

Soltecture Announces UL Listing for 2 Solar Modules

9/30/2011
Soltecture, a Germany-based thin-film PV module manufacturer, announced it has received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) product safety certification for its roof-integrated module (Linion R) and its framed module (Linion F).
Product certification by UL for these systems provides Soltecture with an opportunity for growth in the U.S.' solar energy market, the company says. Current module efficiency is at an average of 12%, with a goal of 14% efficiency within the next 10 month.
Advanced Energy Systems, LLC. of Eugene Oregon is proud to be an exclusive distributor and authorized installer for this innovative product.