We’ve been busy!
Three large commercial solar PV arrays SunGreen Systems designed and installed went online in the last two months. They will power businesses as diverse as a zipper manufacturer, an importer of home accessories and a manufacturer of post-mortem medical equipment.
Together, the projects will generate in excess of 900 kW of solar power, enough to meet more than 90 percent of the electrical load at each company: YKK U.S.A. in Anaheim, Allstate Floral in Cerritos, and Mortech Manufacturing in Asuza.
“More companies throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties are seeing the substantial return on their solar investment, not only from reducing energy costs but reducing pollution as well,” said Rick Hsu, CEO of SunGreen Systems.
The project at Mortech is notable because it included an LED lighting retrofit that replaced 900 conventional lamps.
We worked with LED Power Saver of Santa Clarita on the retrofit, which will cut Mortech’s lighting bill in half and save an estimated $19,000 a year in lighting and maintenance costs. The improvement also allowed specifications for a smaller PV system and created additional savings for Mortech.
“This is a showcase project for SunGreen Systems,” Hsu said. “The combination of solar power and low-energy LED lighting not only saves energy, it delivers better quality, broader spectrum lighting without glare or discoloration.”
Mortech makes anatomy equipment and instruments for post-mortem facilities. Allstate Floral is a top importer of beautiful silk and artificial flowers, greenery, and home accessories. Zipper manufacturer YKK is part of YKK Corporation of America, which has 14 operating companies across five time zones from Canada to South America.
Each project demonstrates how one company that invests in a photovoltaic array can make a difference. Taken together, the three installations result in a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental benefits.
Here’s a quick look at each project:
• YKK U.S.A. - 521.5 kW, expected to meet 97.6 percent of the energy needs of YKK’s zipper manufacturing facility
• Allstate Floral - 204.52 kW, expected to meet 93 percent of company’s energy needs
• Mortech Manufacturing (solar plus LED lighting) - 183.4 kW solar array, meeting nearly 100 percent of Mortech’s electrical load
Businesses realize savings with solar installations in multiple ways. First, the price of electricity you generate from your own solar panels is significantly less that the retail price of power your utility company charges. Second, since 2009, the cost of solar PV modules has fallen 75 percent, and prices for components such as inverters and mounting systems have dropped, too. Finally, competition in the maturing solar industry has spawned innovation in tools and techniques.
It all adds up to opportunity, and yes, we’ve been busy. But we are never too busy to talk to you. Let’s explore the possibilities.