Jul 31 2009
Petra Solar, Inc., the leading provider of innovative photovoltaic (PV) solutions for utilities, will be producing 200,000 smart solar systems for installation on PSE and G utility poles and street light poles in the largest pole-attached solar installation in the world, following the NJ Board of Public Utilities approval of a new PSE and G program today. Petra Solar will also be creating more than 100 green jobs in installation, research and development, operational and manufacturing of the pole-mounted, grid-connected solar PV system.
Petra Solar's "smart" solar PV system attached to a street light pole
In a contract of about $200 million with PSE&G, Petra Solar will make units for 200,000 poles in New Jersey's six largest cities and 300 rural and suburban communities in PSE&G's service territory. Over the 3 1/2 year life of the contract, Petra will add the green jobs to its employee base of 40-plus employees, most of whom work in the company's South Plainfield headquarters and manufacturing facility.
Shihab Kuran, President and CEO of Petra Solar, said, "This contract is transformational for us. We are tripling in size and will start hiring immediately. We invite those interested in applying for positions to visit the company's website at www.petrasolar.com."
Kuran added, "We at Petra Solar are very pleased to enter a contract with PSE&G to provide 200,000 pole-mounted, grid-connected solar systems. This effort exemplifies the Obama and Corzine administration goals of transforming energy technology into energy employment opportunities while at the same time addressing global energy and climate change challenges."
"Our SunWave(TM) pole-mounted, grid-connected PV generation system delivers true technological innovation," Kuran said. "Our product will enable PSE&G to enhance the reliability of its delivery of electricity to customers."
Petra's SunWave system combines highly distributed, grid connected photovoltaic generation and smart grid communications capabilities. In addition it provides enhancement of electric distribution grid reliability through a host of functions such as voltage support.