Marks Completion of the First Phase of the Energizing Taliesin WestTM
Initiative
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation today inaugurated a new 250-kilowattAC
solar photovoltaic (PV) power system donated by First Solar, Inc.
(Nasdaq: FSLR) which will help power the historic Taliesin West campus.
The commissioning marks the successful completion of the first phase of
the Energizing Taliesin West™ initiative, a pioneering effort to
transform the entire National Historic Landmark Taliesin West site into
a "net zero" energy customer, producing as much energy as it consumes
annually, while maintaining the historic and architectural integrity of
the site. 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.
The 250KW 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, displacing 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. Visible portions of the mounting system have been painted to help blend into the desert environment. In addition, the solar modules at the site are covered by First Solar's industry-leading, prefunded module and recycling program. (Photo: Business Wire)
Many local Arizona companies donated materials and labor to make the
project possible. Tempe-based First Solar designed the system and
donated approximately 4,000 of its advanced thin-film solar panels as
well as Engineering, Procurement and Construction (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. Other companies with operations in Arizona that contributed
include Buesing Corp. (structural post installation), OMCO Solar (panel
mounting structural materials), CLP Resources (structural and modular
installation labor), Rummel Construction (site grading), Rapid
(electrical equipment), Syntech (surveying), and Oldcastle (precast
inverter pad). Other donors included Highway Safety Corp. (structural
steel posts) and Olson Motor and Control Co. (electrical equipment).
The entire solar power system is engineered to provide maximum renewable
energy with minimal impact. 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, displacing
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. Visible portions of the mounting system have been painted to
help blend into the desert environment. In addition, the solar modules
at the site are covered by First Solar's industry-leading, prefunded
module and recycling program, under which the company will collect and
recycle its modules at no additional charge.
"We are excited to have partnered with Big Green Zero and First Solar to
complete the first phase of Energizing Taliesin West and are on track to
making a world-famous National Historic Landmark site entirely
self-sustaining," said Sean Malone, CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright
Foundation. "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."
"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, Procurement and Construction and
Operations and Maintenance. "This project represents a microcosm of the
solar industry in Arizona, and we are gratified that many of the same
partners we work with to build utility-scale projects like Agua Caliente
and APS Paloma joined in to support our community and make this vision a
reality."
Bob Roth, CEO of Big Green Zero, explained that 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 a result, Big Green Zero proposed developing the Energizing
Taliesin West™ program to demonstrate best-of-breed energy efficiency
and solar energy technologies at this profoundly historic property.
"Today, we are celebrating this absolutely beautiful 250 kilowatt solar
system," Roth said. "And in the pursuit of energy efficiency, this is
just the beginning. Over the next several years, the Energizing Taliesin
West team will be installing and experimenting with additional energy
efficiency technologies. Our goal is to make Frank Lloyd Wright's
Taliesin West a Big Green Zero."
About the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is a non-profit organization that was
established by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1940 to be a cultural and
educational institution and the primary conservator of his work. The
Foundation owns two world-famous National Historic Landmarks — Taliesin
in Spring Green, Wis. and Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Ariz. — both open
to inspire the public. The Foundation also owns and manages the vast Frank
Lloyd Wright Archives and operates the Frank Lloyd Wright School of
Architecture, a continuation of the apprenticeship program Wright
established in 1932. www.franklloydwright.org
About First Solar, Inc.
First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic
(PV) solar systems which use its advanced thin-film modules. The
company's integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically
attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From
raw material sourcing through end-of-life module collection and
recycling, First Solar's renewable energy systems protect and enhance
the environment. On a life cycle basis, systems using First Solar
modules have the lowest carbon footprint and fastest energy payback
time—the amount of time a system must operate to recover the energy that
was required to produce it—of any photovoltaic technology. This enables
systems using First Solar modules to provide the greatest and fastest
environmental benefits. For more information about First Solar, please
visit www.firstsolar.com.
About Big Green Zero
Big Green Zero, LLC is a team of sustainable energy engineers, project
planners, and historic preservation enthusiasts. The team provides
commercial and institutional property owners with commercial-grade
energy assessments and sustainable energy project planning services. Big
Green Zero is developing and managing the Energizing Taliesin WestTM project.
http://www.biggreenzero.com/
About Power-One
Power-One designs and manufactures energy-efficient power conversion and
power management solutions, including inverters for
alternative/renewable energy (solar and wind) and products for routers,
data storage and servers, wireless communications, optical networking,
semiconductor test equipment, industrial markets and custom
applications. Power-One, with headquarters in Camarillo, California, has
global sales offices, manufacturing, and R&D operations in Asia, Europe,
and the Americas. Power-One is a public company listed on NASDAQ under
the ticker symbol PWER. For more information about the Company, please
visit www.Power-One.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50289043&lang=en
First Solar
Ted Meyer
(602) 427-3318
Ted.Meyer@firstsolar.com
or
Frank
Lloyd Wright Foundation
Nicole Minadeo
(312) 768-4744
Nicole.Minadeo@resoluteconsulting.com
or
Big
Green Zero
Bob Roth
(480) 287-6009
BobR@biggreenzero.com
Source: First Solar, Inc.
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