Xantrex Provides Enabling Technology for Nation's Largest
Solar Roof (Download
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1,800 Kilowatt solar array solar will save Alameda
County Taxpayer's millions of dollars
LIVERMORE, CA: May 16, 2002 - The Alameda County Board of
Supervisors recently announced the nation's largest roof-mounted
solar installation, located atop Alameda County's Santa Rita Jail in
Dublin, California. Xantrex inverters provide the enabling power
conversion technology for this record- breaking solar installation
incorporating three 225 kVa inverters and one 300 kVa inverter.
Xantrex inverters allow the facility to convert the DC solar
energy produced by the nation's largest 6,000 roof-tile solar
installation into useable AC power. The 1.18 Megawatt solar array
was designed, manufactured and installed by one of Xantrex' key
partners, PowerLight Corporation of Berkley, California.
"We
are pleased to be part of this record-breaking solar installation,"
said Mike Behnke, Director of Sales and Engineering for Xantrex'
Distributed Power Market. "With an annual generation of 650,000
kilowatt hours of clean energy and a savings of 890,000 additional
kilowatt-hours, the system will power more than 1,000 homes and
displace over 3 million pounds per year of harmful emissions that
cause smog, acid rain and global warming."
The
Santa Rita project is expected to reduce the facility's consumption
of grid generated electricity by 20% through both energy
conservation and solar power generation. As a result, Alameda County
taxpayers will save millions of dollars over the lifetime of this
project. It is the first of many anticipated solar installations on
Alameda County's buildings.
Behnke
adds: "This project clearly demonstrates that solar energy is not
only cost effective, but also has a positive environmental impact.
We applaud Alameda County for taking this initiative and PowerLight
for an outstanding execution."
The
dedication ceremony for this project - attended by county and state
government officials - took place on Earth Day, Monday, April 22,
2002.
About Xantrex
Xantrex Technology Inc. develops, manufactures and markets
leading advanced power electronic and control products for the
Distributed, Mobile, and Programmable Power markets. The company's
enabling technology converts raw electrical power from any central,
distributed, or backup power source into high-quality power required
by electronic and electrical equipment.
Xantrex products are used for various applications: for
renewable and distributed power solutions such as solar, wind,
microturbines and fuel cells; to supply backup power for homes,
small businesses and traffic lights during electric grid
disruptions; to provide auxiliary electricity in boats, recreational
vehicles, cars and heavy duty trucks; and to develop, test, and
power precision equipment such as semi-conductor manufacturing and
medical equipment. The company sells its products under Xantrex
brand.
A
privately owned company with 650 employees and revenues of US$110
million in 2001, Xantrex is headquartered in Vancouver, British
Columbia with additional facilities in Arlington, Washington and
Livermore, California.
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