Williston, VT, USA AllEarth Renewables today announced that it has initiated construction on nearly 5 megawatts of projects utilizing its dual-axis solar tracker systems to provide power to 12 state government facilities in Vermont. The facilities include each of the state’s correctional facilities and several state office buildings, including the office of Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin.
"By utilizing our tracking technology with high efficiency SunPower panels, we can maximize production within the state’s net metering limit, boosting the total solar savings for the State of Vermont and the economic returns for each project. It’s a real winning combination.” -- David Blittersdorf, president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables
   The ground-mounted solar systems will provide emissions-free, net metered solar electricity for each facility at below market rates through long-term energy contracts owned and operated by SolarSense LLC, and represents the state’s largest public solar initiative to date.
   Each of the 500-kilowatt (ac) solar projects will be constructed utilizing AllSun Trackers, which track the sun throughout the day to maximize energy production.  They are manufactured in Williston, Vt. by AllEarth Renewables.
   The initial three, 500-kilowatt (ac) projects, which are scheduled to be completed in 2014, will feature 1,560 SunPower 345-watt solar panels manufactured by SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR), a leading solar technology and global energy services provider based in Silicon Valley, Calif.
   “The combination of our premium, American-made dual-axis trackers with high performance SunPower solar panels is a perfect match,” said president and CEO of AllEarth Renewables David Blittersdorf.  “By utilizing our tracking technology with high efficiency SunPower panels, we can maximize production within the state’s net metering limit, boosting the total solar savings for the State of Vermont and the economic returns for each project.  It’s a real winning combination.” 
   Governor Shumlin visited St. Johnsbury, Vt. on Thursday where the first 500-kilowatt project featuring AllSun Trackers and SunPower solar panels is under construction.  Each of the remaining projects has a Certificate of Public Good or is in the siting and permitting process.
   “SunPower’s high efficiency solar panels will maximize production of cost-effective solar power for the State of Vermont, reducing long-term operational costs,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units.  “As a SunPower dealer, AllEarth Renewables has demonstrated a commitment to delivering quality solar solutions, and we’re looking forward to their continued success in years to come.”
   AllSun Trackers produce up to 30 percent more energy than fixed ground-mounted systems and up to 45 percent more energy than rooftop systems per kilowatt installed.  The state’s initiative will produce more than 7 million kilowatt hours of energy each year.
   The initial 1.5 megawatts of projects are being financed and operated by SolarSense LLC, the specialty solar division of Alternative Energy Development Group (www.aedgonline.com), based in Radnor, PA, who develops, owns and operates distributed generation solar and natural-gas fuel cell systems in the US.   
All Earth Renewables
   AllEarth Renewables, headquartered in Williston, Vt., manufactures the AllSun Tracker, a dual-axis solar tracker that uses innovative GPS and wireless technology to follow the sun throughout the day, producing up to 45 percent more energy than rooftop solar.  The company has manufactured and installed over 2,300 solar tracker systems to date.  Among its top-product awards, the dual axis tracker was named a “Top-10 Green Product” by BuildingGreen magazine and “Top Product of the Year” bySolar Power World. The company’s ground-mounted, pre-engineered solar trackers are designed for residential and commercial-scale installations. For more visit, www.allsuntrackers.com


About SunPower
   SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) designs, manufactures and delivers the highest efficiency, highest reliability solar panels and systems available today. Residential, business, government and utility customers rely on the company's quarter century of experience and guaranteed performance to provide maximum return on investment throughout the life of the solar system. Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit www.sunpower.com. 


Please see this link for more info: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/companies/allearth-renewables/ne...

Joined by business leaders and state officials, Gov. Peter Shumlin today visited a 500 kilowatt solar net metering project at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility, the first of ten planned solar projects that will power state buildings.
The projects are part of an initiative the Governor announced in September of 2013 to deploy 5 megawatts of solar that will increase the state’s use of renewable energy while saving taxpayers on state energy costs.
“Today we are celebrating the construction of the first of ten solar projects that demonstrate leadership by example for state government when it comes to using renewable energy for our own buildings and facilities,” the Governor said. “These projects help cut carbon emissions while saving taxpayers money, and critically they also supports jobs at Vermont manufacturing companies.”
The project at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility is using solar trackers made by AllEarth Renewables of Williston, and the trackers in turn feature components manufactured by NSA Industries of St. Johnsbury.
"This initiative demonstrates why solar is so good for the Vermont.  It is saving taxpayer money, creating good local jobs, keeping electric costs down, and doing right for future generations by producing long-term clean, renewable energy," said Andrew Savage, Chief Strategy Officer at AllEarth Renewables.  "Projects like this, where we can see our locally made trackers helping our state and our community, brings it all home for us for why we are in business. We look forward to the next year of projects coming online for the State and commend the Administration's leadership making state facilities among the greenest in the country."
“As a Vermont metal fabrication and machining manufacturer, NSA is pleased to be an integral supply chain partner to AllEarth Renewables for the past five years,” said Jim Moroney, CEO of NSA Industries LLC. “In addition, it is especially satisfying for us to play a part in this alternative energy initiative and for us to see our work product being utilized locally at the Northeast Correctional Complex.” 
Upon completion, the ten 500 kilowatt solar projects are projected to save taxpayers $2.5 million in energy costs over twenty years, while producing 7 million kilowatt hours per year of clean electricity.
“With 5 megawatts of solar energy now under development for state facilities, I am pleased to announce today that we are setting a new goal for an additional 5 megawatts of solar to move more of our state buildings to locally-produced renewable energy,” said Gov. Shumlin. “Over the coming months, my Administration will be examining whether we can site additional state net metering projects, and whether we can pursue solar for state buildings through a public-private partnership with one or more of our utilities.”
Please see direct link for more information.
http://governor.vermont.gov/newsroom-prison-solar-power-state-buildings-...