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USFLOORS is the largest producer of solar energy in Georgia.
DALTON, Ga., Nov. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — In November of 2010, USFloors commissioned its third solar photovoltaic (PV) project intended to supply half of the facility’s energy. This installation of 365.04 kw is the largest solar array in Georgia, eclipsing the record once held by the Georgia Tech Natatorium, installed for the 1996 Olympics. Alpharetta-based United Renewable Energy installed 1521 Suniva solar panels and an SMA Sunny Central Inverter for this ARRA, GEFA Grant funded project . The combined output of all three USFloors solar arrays will total over half a Megawatt, and makes USFloors the largest producer of solar energy in the state of Georgia. USFloors is producing enough solar energy to power 54 average American homes, offsetting 11,400 tons of CO2 and nearly 23 million vehicle miles.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101112/CL00646 )
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101112/CL00646 )
The Broome County Library is going green, thanks to some new roof-top solar panels that are up and running .
The panels now line most of the roof of the library, They turn sun into energy that will be used by the library — plus enough extra to take three Binghamton homes off the grid.
One of the things that made the installation possible — the price of solar technology has dropped significantly over the past few years.
“I think the library has made a great stance here in demonstrating that this technology works today. It’s very robust, very efficient, and well-tested. So, it’s been around for years, and the difference is the cost has finally come down, and it’s in the reach of businesses and homeowners all across the Triple Cities and Broome County,” said Bill Silva, President of United Renewable Energy, LLC.
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City of Alpharetta, Wills Park Pool
Alpharetta, GA. December, 6, 2010. The City of Alpharetta just installed its first Solar Photovoltaic (PV) array on the rooftop of Wills Park Pool on Old Milton Highway (west of GA 400 and Highway 9). The Array, 3.84 kW, utilizes local solar panel technology, and will save 110 tons of CO2 over the next 25 years, the equivalent of 220,800 vehicle miles. “This is an exciting moment for the City of Alpharetta and a logical next step in our efforts to be a greener, more sustainable community,” said Arthur Letchas, Mayor of Alpharetta. “By using the sun’s energy to provide power to one of our most frequented recreation facilities, we hope to educate our citizens on this effective way to more wisely use our resources.”
Always looking for new opportunities to connect students to sustainable jobs, Lanier Technical College has set its sights on the solar industry.
Demand for solar energy has grown about 30 percent per year during the last 15 years, according to Solarbuzz, which tracks the industry worldwide as part of the marketing research firm, NPD Group. Solar photovoltaic (PV) installations increased by 7.3 gigawatts in 2009; up from 6,080 megawatts in 2008. (A megawatt is 1,000,000 watts; a gigawatt is 1,000 megawatts.)
The firm projects strong industry growth in the Asian Pacific, European and U.S. markets for the next five years. More efficient and less-costly technology has made solar options more affordable at the same time the world has increased its demand for renewable energy sources. (more…)
Corporate Sponsors Help Lanier Technical College Build Solar Installation Lab. Alpharetta—Feb 26, 2010— Wearing hard hats, goggles, and fall protection harnesses, the first graduating class from Georgia’s only NABCEPp TM approved Entry Level Solar Photovoltaic Installer Program stand confidently on a simulated roof surrounded by solar panels. The roof is located at Lanier Technical College’s brand new Solar Photovoltaic Installation training lab at their Milton campus.
Students from various backgrounds including electrical workers, construction workers, full time students and information technology professionals are completing the class that teaches them the basics of installing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems. This technology converts sunlight directly to usable electricity for homes and commercial buildings. “Solar power installation is a red-hot industry nationwide and growing in Georgia. Georgia is just now beginning to take the policy strides necessary to build a strong solar industry like in North Carolina, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and California. Our students will be among the first ready to support the burgeoning demand caused by dramatically lower solar PV system costs”, said William Silva, Solar Instructor and Adjunct Coordinator of Solar Programs at Lanier Technical College. (more…)
The largest commercial solar array in the state was commissioned last week in Dalton, GA. USFloors, a nationwide leader in sustainable flooring, installed an 144.48 kW solar array on their facilities.
United Renewable Energy, LLC install GA Solar Panels Powered by Suniva
The new Woodbridge at Parkway Village Independent Senior Living Facility in Fairburn will be the first commercial location to receive an all-Georgia Solar power installation. The new “Powered by Suniva” panels include highly- efficient and low-cost photovoltaic cells, manufactured by Norcross, GA-based Suniva, Inc., and will be installed by Alpharetta-based United Renewable Energy, LLC.
The new United Renewable Energy brand panels, “Powered by Suniva,” provide solar energy at a lower price point than traditional high-powered solar PV systems. These new solar panels are comprised of 95% American-made materials, including the solar cells manufactured at Suniva’s Norcross plant.
Atlanta-based Ambling Development Partners, LLC plans to install these panels on the new Independent Senior Living Facility in Fairburn. “Ambling Development Partners, LLC has multiple solar PV projects underway in Georgia on our affordable, senior, and market rate developments. Our commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices is demonstrated by the installation of these panels sourced right here in Georgia”, said Torian R. Priestly, vice president of development at Ambling Development Partners.
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December 9, 2009- Atlanta Dermatology, Vein and Research Center, P.C. of Alpharetta, is ignoring the advice of its own doctors and soaking up the sun… at least, its roof is. The practice recently installed a 12.81 kilowatt system on the roof of their Atlantis Place office. The array, which now covers a large percentage of the practice’s power usage, was installed by Alpharetta-based United Renewable Energy, LLC (URE).
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In the last fifty years, technology has transformed the world. It has enabled us to live longer, instantaneously communicate with each other across the planet and explore the tiniest bits of our world and the furthest regions of our solar system. We are only now beginning to recognize that this dizzying speed of technological advancement – resulting in exponential population growth and an insatiable appetite for energy – has impacted the natural world. In response to this recognition, markets have created a demand for technological innovation to reduce culture’s impact on the natural world. The Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center will usher in the new year with “The Technology of Sustainable Design”, an exhibition about new developments in sustainable design that features the work of Atlanta-based firm Houser Walker Architecture, Timmons Design Engineers, United Renewable Energy and Suniva, a world leader in solar cells. The exhibition will run from January 9 to February 27.
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William Silva, President of Georgia-based United Renewable Energy (URE) has begun teaching Lanier Tech’s first North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification class. Individuals can only obtain full NABCEP certification with significant experience in the solar industry and specific knowledge of PV systems. However, introductory level certification is available through Georgia’s only NABCEP certified course at Lanier Tech, Milton Center Campus.
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