Jan 13 2009
Demonstrating continued robust growth in the commercial sector, Akeena Solar (Nasdaq:AKNS), one of the nation's leading designers and installers of solar systems, together in partnership with Solar Power Partners, Inc. (SPP) today announced the completion of the largest commercial solar installation in San Francisco. Solar Power Partners financed, developed and will operate the system through a power purchase agreement (PPA), which allows the site owner to purchase power at a predictable rate from SPP. The project totals 385 kilowatts and spreads 1,500 solar panels across four commercial buildings in the Hunters Point/Bayview neighborhood.
"I commend Akeena Solar and Solar Power Partners for their commitment to find economically viable ways to blanket San Francisco with solar panels and solidify San Francisco as a beacon of American solar energy," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who in June signed the nation's largest municipal solar incentive program into law. "Private sector efforts such as these are equally as important as publicly funded efforts like GoSolarSF to advancing our city's renewable energy initiatives."
The systems will provide an estimated 60 percent of the commercial buildings' annual power needs -- the equivalent to taking 75 cars off the road each year for 30 years. Located at the intersection of US-101 and Interstate 280, the impressive solar installation is visible to motorists on both freeways.
"I always knew that solar was a solid option for our large flat rooftops, but it was the growing concern for the environment that prompted us to look into rooftop solar," said Charlie Muller, the building's property manager with Harrigan, Weidenmuller Co. "Once we realized solar power could provide a predictable rate of power for decades to come, compared to skyrocketing electricity costs, getting solar power was a win-win. We could lower our electricity bills today and in the future in a way that benefits the environment."
"Solar Power Partners is proud to team with Akeena Solar to deliver efficient and viable solar energy. We are pleased to provide this smart financial and clean energy service for San Francisco business. Every completed SPP solar project continues to be a long-term win for all parties," said Alexander V. Welczeck, CEO of Solar Power Partners.
"Akeena is always pushing the envelope, trying to find innovative new ways to help businesses and homeowners go solar," said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Akeena Solar. "In San Francisco, there are hundreds of warehouses and commercial buildings like these scattered throughout the city, and the potential for solar energy is huge and relatively untapped. Akeena's Andalay Flat Roof solar system offers these businesses a smart solution to going solar and provide business owners affordable, clean energy that can integrate seamlessly on many buildings' flat rooftops."
The installation also comes on the heels of the completion of several other large commercial projects throughout the Bay Area -- including a 72 kW installation on a parking garage in Napa and a 34 kW installation at Creative Labels in Gilroy -- which have contributed to Akeena Solar's growth in commercial projects during 2008.