By Greentech Lead America: The Frank Lloyd Wright
Foundation has inaugurated a new 250-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) power
system at the historic Taliesin West campus. The installation is part of the
first phase of the Energizing Taliesin West initiative, an effort to
transform the entire National Historic Landmark Taliesin West site into a “net
zero” energy customer.
The Energizing Taliesin West project started with a 2011
energy audit which found the site’s nearly $200,000 energy bill could be
reduced 51 percent through energy efficiency improvements and balance could be
offset by renewable solar energy.
“As we continue to move forward with this endeavor we
remain consistent with the values of Taliesin West and advancing the
Foundation’s mission to preserve and expand the heritage of Frank Lloyd Wright.
We will continue to educate and empower new generations of innovative thinkers
to address the critical issues of sustainability and healthy living
environments,” said Sean Malone, CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.
The solar system was donated by First Solar, which will
produce as much energy as Taliesin West campus consumes annually. The
comprehensive project, led by energy efficiency consultant Big Green Zero, is
focused on the twin goals of maximizing the campus’ energy efficiency through
improved lighting, insulation, climate controls and other techniques while also
generating renewable energy on-site.
Many local Arizona companies donated materials and labor
to make the project possible. First Solar designed the system and donated
approximately 4,000 of its advanced thin-film solar panels as well as EPC
services. Power-One donated an Aurora PVI-Central-250kW inverter manufactured
in nearby Phoenix and the associated performance-monitoring equipment for the
project, and Klondyke Construction donated electrical construction services.
The ground-mounted First Solar PV
system at Taliesin West is expected to generate more than 500 megawatt-hours
per year of emission-free electricity with no water or waste. The project will
offset more than 300 tons of carbon dioxide annually, the equivalent of taking
more than 50 cars off the road.
Native cacti and other plant species which were removed
during construction will be transplanted throughout the project site, and the
entire site will be seeded to restore native vegetation.
First Solar will collect and recycle its modules at no
additional charge under its prefunded module and recycling program.
“We are very proud to be a part of this historic
landmark, and we are confident the integration of clean solar power into
Taliesin West will help advance the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright and educate
visitors from around the world about renewable energy,” said Jim Lamon, First
Solar’s senior vice president of engineering.
First Solar dedicates Enbridge’s 50-MW Silver State North solar
project In Nevada
Recently, Enbridge and First Solar completed
the Enbridge’s 50-megawatt (AC) Silver State North Solar Project in Clark
County, Nevada. The photovoltaic plant is expected to produce enough renewable
energy to power about 9,000 Nevada homes, offset 42,000 metric tons of CO2 per
year, and taking the equivalent of about 8,000 cars off the road.