Vermont's Largest Public Solar Initiative Underway

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. 


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