4 May 2011

OPEL turnkey CPV installation for waste-water treatment facility

OPEL Solar International Inc of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which makes high-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) panels (and both roof- and ground-based solar tracker systems), is to provide a 95kW turnkey solar installation for the municipally owned waste-water treatment facility of the town of Newtown, CT, USA.

As a result of Newtown officials decision to use OPEL Solar’s tracking technology, Newtown is receiving a grant of $325,000, covering part of the cost of installation from a competitive bid grant awarded by the State’s Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF).

The installation will include OPEL Solar’s TF-800 single-axis trackers and US-made PV panels from Grape Solar Inc. OPEL says that the use of its single-axis trackers results in higher energy production for each PV panel, providing significantly lower cost per kWh than conventional fixed-panel solar systems. For the Newtown Facility, the tracker system increases the project’s energy production by about 28%. OPEL Solar was selected through a competitive public bid process with the Town of Newtown.

“This installation serves to validate our decision to pursue the municipal market in order to benefit the public with clean solar energy,” says OPEL Solar’s CEO Leon M. Pierhal. “The TF800 trackers contributed positively to the town’s receipt of this significant grant award from the State of Connecticut,” he believes. “The increased energy output from our trackers provides a great match to other facilities similar to Newtown’s waste water treatment plant,” Pierhal adds.

“Newtown’s evaluation process was greatly simplified by OPEL Solar offering the lowest-cost option, the best energy production and the most advanced solar technology of all the bids received,” comments E. Patricia Llodra, First Selectman of the Town of Newtown.

OPEL says that the unique design of its tracker product line allows it to be matched with any type of solar panel technology, providing greater efficiency and a competitive edge for panel vendors as well as greater layout flexibility for integrators and engineering firms.

Tags: OPEL Solar CPV

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