Solar Power to Light Up North Central New Mexico
Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Washington Gas Energy Systems,
Standard Solar and Elected Officials Dedicate 5,280-Panel, 14-acre Solar
Array
AMALIA, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) today announced that with the
addition of a new 1.5 megawatt (MW) solar array, anticipated to be
completed in May 2012, all businesses and residences in north central
New Mexico will receive electricity provided by solar power on sunny
days. It is the largest area of land with the largest number of power
consumers in New Mexico to be supplied with electricity by renewable
sources. The 14-acre array will add to power already being generated
from the Concentrated Photovoltaic 1 MW array built near Questa, New
Mexico.
"This project represents a unique collaboration between entities that,
while very different, have common goals," said Luis Reyes, CEO of KCEC.
"In addition, this array is helping create local jobs as well as provide
energy independence by generating enough electricity to power 376
average New Mexico homes for an entire year."
The new array, dubbed RCCLA Amalia Solar Array 1, was dedicated during a
morning ceremony at the site located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Federal, state and local elected officials, including Congressman Ben
Ray Lujan, joined the board of the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative and
visiting dignitaries for the ceremony.
"We are pleased to invest in this significant solar project as it
supports our mission to own and operate renewable energy assets for the
betterment of our environment and advancing our country's energy
independence," said Sanjiv Mahan, Vice President of Business Development
for Washington Gas Energy Systems. "We thank the RCCLA and the Kit
Carson Electric Cooperative for partnering with us in this effort and
look forward to being a part of additional solar projects here in New
Mexico."
The project came about through the combined efforts of: the Rio Costilla
Cooperative Livestock Association (RCCLA), a group of ranchers with a
heritage that goes back hundreds of years in this remote region, and who
allowed the array to be built on their land; Kit Carson Electric
Cooperative, a member-owned corporation supplying electricity to the
region since 1944, and is currently ranked second in the nation in solar
watts per consumer; Virginia-based Washington Gas Energy Systems who
will own and operate the system; and Standard Solar of Rockville,
Maryland who installed the system with project management by Paradise
Power Company of Taos, NM, and support from Amalia Construction Company.
"Today's dedication event signifies a considerable milestone in bringing
renewable energy to northern Taos County," said Standard Solar President
Scott Wiater. "We applaud the collaborative effort of all those involved
and look forward to the not too distant future when all KCEC customers
will have the opportunity to reap the benefits of solar energy."
The system is a 1.5 MW-DC single—axis tracking solar system consisting
of 5,280 solar panels. At full capacity, it will produce approximately
1.25 MW of AC power, with an expected annual output of more than 2.9
million kilowatt hours. When completed, the solar array will cover more
than 15.5 football fields and the carbon offsets will be equivalent to
planting 221 acres of forest.
About Washington Gas Energy Systems, Inc.:
Washington Gas Energy Systems, Inc., an affiliate of Washington Gas and
a subsidiary of WGL Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: WGL), design-builds and owns
custom energy solutions that deliver financial, operational and carbon
reduction results for non-residential customers across the United
States. Washington Gas Energy Systems is focused on federal energy
efficiency projects and commercial distributed generation assets
including solar. For more information on how Washington Gas Energy
Systems can make solar power a reality for you, contact Nate Greenberg,
703-288-3614 x29, or e-mail nategreenberg@wges.com.
Media contact: Alicia Moran, 410-991-7027 or Alicia@brightlinemedia.com.
About Standard Solar:
Standard Solar, Inc. is a leader in the full-service development,
construction, integration, financing and installation of solar electric
systems. Dedicated to making solar solutions more accessible to
consumers, businesses, institutions and governments, the company is
leading the way to energy independence. Committed to offering
responsible and energy cost-saving solar solutions that conform to the
highest standards, Standard Solar is one of the most trusted and
respected solar companies. Since 2004, Standard Solar has been the
partner of choice to make solar energy financially accessible, helping
customers through financing options, including Power Purchase Agreements
(PPAs) and navigating expanded federal and state and local tax credits.
The company's Standard Energy Solutions (SES) division provides energy
auditing and retrofitting services for energy improvement projects.
Named one of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America in 2010
and 2011 by Inc. magazine, Standard Solar is headquartered in Rockville,
MD. For more information, please visit www.standardsolar.com,
or contact Leah Wilkinson at WilkinsonShein Communications at
703-907-0010 or leah@wilkinsonshein.com.
Washington Gas Energy Systems, Inc.
Nate Greenberg, 703-288-3614 x29
nategreenberg@wges.com
or
Media
contact:
Alicia Moran, 410-991-7027
Alicia@brightlinemedia.com
or
Kit
Carson Electric Cooperative
Steve Fuhlendorf, Public Information
Officer
575-758-2258 ext. 143
sfuhlendorf@kitcarson.com
Source: Washington Gas Energy Systems, Inc.
News Provided by Acquire Media
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