Skyline Solar’s First Elevated HGS 1000 System to Power the Kona, Hawai’i Headquarters of Metcalf West
New 22 Kilowatt Solar Plant to be Commissioned Today at Metcalf West Headquarters by Governor Linda Lingle in Conjunction with the Unveiling of a New Metcalf West Affordable Housing Development
Mountain View, Calif.— August 30, 2010—Skyline Solar, a manufacturer of High Gain Solar (HGS) arrays for commercial, industrial, government and utility markets, today announced the first elevated installation of its High Gain Solar (HGS) 1000 system at the Kona, Hawai’i headquarters of Metcalf West, a leading residential and commercial construction firm. The 22 kilowatt project will be commissioned at the Metcalf West headquarters by Hawai’i Governor Linda Lingle and Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi after their visit today to a new affordable housing development constructed by Metcalf West.
“As we continue advancing our comprehensive clean energy initiative (HCEI) with the goal of generating 70 percent of all energy from renewable sources and efficiencies, it is critical to have the private sector partner with our state energy office in its effort to attain energy security and independence,” said Governor Linda Lingle. “By adopting the very latest in sustainable solar technology from Skyline Solar, Metcalf West has established itself as a shining example of Hawai’i’s energy future.”
“Energy and land are both very expensive resources in Hawai’i making an elevated Skyline Solar HGS system the perfect solar solution for Metcalf West,” said Terry Metcalf, founder of Metcalf West, LLC. “Skyline Solar HGS combined everything we were looking for in a renewable energy system—proven technologies, fewer parts, outstanding performance and upgradeable components—in a design that could be elevated and provide shading for our parking facility. We see a lot of potential in Skyline Solar for future projects.”
The HGS 1000 system offers its customers a number of breakthrough innovations not found in traditional solar systems, including:
- Cost: Skyline Solar’s HGS architecture delivers ten times more energy per gram of silicon versus traditional flat-panel systems in sunny locations. The system utilizes tracking, passive cooling and concentration components, reducing the amount of silicon required by 90 percent.
- Upgradability: The power-producing components of the system are field upgradeable, allowing system-owners to “future-proof” their investment and upgrade with new solar panel technologies.
- Reliability: Skyline Solar HGS 1000 arrays combine industry-proven silicon cells, durable reflector materials and single-axis tracking into a complete, easy-to-deploy system.
- Scalability: Built primarily out of commodity materials with globally available manufacturing processes from the PV and automotive industries, Skyline Solar HGS 1000 simultaneously improves financial payback and scalability.
“The best innovations are often driven by creative customers and Metcalf West was certainly a driving force in our delivering the first elevated Skyline Solar HGS system,” said Tim Keating, vice president of marketing and field operations for Skyline Solar. “The uniqueness of the HGS design—including reflective racks that double as structural system support—increases the system’s flexibility allowing it to be deployed in a number of configurations. We are thrilled to be a cornerstone of Metcalf West’s sustainability initiatives and a part of Governor Lingle’s benchmark-setting renewable energy efforts.”
The first elevated HGS system is just the latest in a number of significant 2010 milestones for Skyline Solar. In June 2010, Skyline Solar unveiled its first commercial project in Nipton, Calif., establishing Nipton as the most solar town in America. Just prior to completion of the Nipton plant Skyline Solar was awarded one of the first patents under the US Patent & Trademark Office’s Green Technology Pilot Program, covering key elements of Skyline Solar’s HGS architecture. The Kona plant is another step in Skyline Solar’s development of upgradeable, pre-engineered solar energy systems that address global demand for scalable, cost-effective solar energy.
About Skyline Solar
Skyline Solar manufactures High Gain Solar (HGS) arrays incorporating industry-proven silicon cells, durable reflector materials and single-axis tracking into a complete, easy-to-deploy system. Skyline Solar HGS delivers ten times more energy per gram of silicon than traditional flat panel systems. Built primarily out of commodity materials and assembled using globally available manufacturing processes, Skyline Solar HGS simultaneously improves financial payback and scalability, thereby accelerating the path to grid parity.
Skyline Solar was founded in 2007 and is led by veterans of the solar energy and high volume manufacturing industries. The company is funded by NEA, other VCs and strategic investors, and by a US Department of Energy (DOE) grant. Skyline Solar went from prototype to first grid connected customer in less than one year and is in commercial manufacturing. For more information, visit www.skyline-solar.com.
# # #
Contact:
Skyline Solar
Jason Morris or Katy Garlinghouse
Schwartz Communications
Tel: +1 (415) 512-0770
Email: skylinesolar@schwartz-pr.com
Return to Press Releases |
