Grundfos Pumps And SunPower Dedicate 1.1 Megawatt Solar Power System
Fresno, CA - Grundfos Pumps Corporation and SunPower Corporation recently dedicated a 1.1 megawatt solar power system at the Grundfos facility in Fresno. The system features a ground-mounted, high-efficiency SunPower sun tracking system on a 7.5-acre site. It is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions generated at the site by almost 2.4 million pounds annually, which is the equivalent to removing close to 200 cars from California's highways each year.
"Grundfos is committed to improving our business practices and reducing our environmental impact," said David Mortensen, senior vice president of finance and quality manager for Grundfos. "This high-efficiency SunPower solar power system will help us significantly reduce costs while improving the quality of the environment for our employees and the greater Fresno community."
At the Grundfos site, SunPower designed and installed a system that utilizes SunPower solar panels, the most efficient solar panels on the market today, with the SunPower Tracker(R) system. The Tracker follows the sun's movement during the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems, while significantly reducing land use requirements.
"Improving our region's air quality is a primary goal in Fresno," said Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin. "I am very pleased that Grundfos, as a major employer and business leader in our city for more than 30 years, has chosen a high-efficiency solar power system to maximize the amount of clean, emission- free solar power generated at their facility."
As an alternative to outright purchase of the solar power system, Grundfos financed the project through financier Morgan Stanley under the SunPower Access(TM) power purchase agreement (PPA) program. Grundfos is purchasing the electricity generated from the system from Morgan Stanley, which owns and operates the system. As a result, Grundfos will benefit from immediate savings and a long-term hedge against rising peak power prices. Grundfos owns the renewable energy credits associated with the system.
"Today, leaders like Grundfos understand the value of solar power technology to significantly reduce both operational costs and the levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere," said Tom Werner, chief executive officer of SunPower. "With a SunPower Access PPA, these systems require no upfront capital expenditure, and are a great hedge against rising electricity rates. With high-efficiency SunPower technology, Grundfos is assured that the system is maximizing the amount of clean, renewable power generated for their facility."
SOURCE: Grundfos and SunPower