By Greentech Lead Team: Kyocera Solar, a supplier of solar
power generating systems, announced that it has joined local energy leaders as
a Technology Sponsor of the San Diego Gas & Electric Energy Innovation
Center. The Center is designed to be a LEED Platinum building that will be open
to the public and is the embodiment of SDG&E’s commitment to sustainability
and renewable energy design for homes and businesses.
The Energy Innovation Center is a showcase facility where
customers can learn about energy efficiency, alternative fuel transportation,
Smart Grid, and clean generation.
“Kyocera strives to remain at the forefront of environmental
preservation by providing sustainable, innovative energy solutions for homes
and businesses,” said Steve
Hill, president of Kyocera Solar.
The parking lot at the Center is planted with six Solar Tree
arrays, structures that model the life processes of real trees by converting
sunlight into clean electricity, helping to offset carbon emissions, providing
shade to 48 parking spaces, and providing locally generated renewable energy to
the electric grid.
The Solar Tree arrays are designed by Envision Solar,
a sustainable infrastructure product designer and integrator deploying clean
energy systems globally. The Solar Tree arrays comprised of 312 Kyocera KD240
solar panels for a total of 75kW and employ Envision Solar’s proprietary
EnvisionTrak technology, a hybrid multi-axis tracking system.
EnvisionTrak technology enables the panels to track the
movement of the sun and monitors system performance for optimal efficiency,
generating up to 20 percent greater output than a stationary array.
Kyocera’s “zero negative tolerance” KD240 modules will
produce a minimum of 240 watts upon delivery. The Solar Tree arrays also
integrated with electric vehicle charging stations.
Recognizing the need and to meet the increasing demand for
U.S.-made products, Kyocera began
manufacturing solar panels in June 2010 at its San Diego facility.
This project brought together numerous San Diego-based
partners and American-made products to create a dynamic solar system and
illustrate the impact of renewable energy. The Center utilizes locally made
Kyocera modules and the products and services of many other San Diego area
companies.
“Creative partnership opportunities like the Energy
Innovation Center allow us to work with industry leaders and contribute to
public awareness and understanding of how to integrate solar energy for
high-quality, long-term energy results,” Hill added.
Recently, Kyocera Solar announced
the launch of its highest-output solar module, the 80-cell KD 315.