SOLAR PANELS INSTALLED AT NAPERVILLE'S FORT HILL ELECTRIC SUBSTATION
US State News
October 2, 2010
NAPERVILLE, Ill., Oct. 1 -- The City of Naperville issued the following news release:
The City of Naperville is pleased to announce that the Department of Public Utilities-Electric (DPU-E) has expanded its use of renewable energy by adding solar power to one of its substations. DPU-E, along with solar project developer SoCore Energy of Chicago, has installed 25 solar photovoltaic panels at the Fort Hill Electric Substation, located near the intersection of 75th Street and Fort Hill Drive.
The array will generate solar energy to offset the substation building's energy requirements and was donated and installed by SoCore Energy. This project will build public awareness and knowledge of solar power and help promote renewable energy sources in the community.
"Naperville's residents are energy conscious, and our utility customers have expressed an interest in ways they can conserve energy," Director of Public Utilities-Electric Mark Curran said. "We are pleased to be able to promote renewable energy to our customers and help show them possible ways to reduce their carbon footprint."
The solar panels' estimated yearly energy production is 4,500 kWh, and residents and interested parties can visit the city's website to see the amount of energy the solar panels are producing in real-time. The panels have currently produced 2.2 MWh, or the equivalent of powering 6,816 light bulbs and 2,249 computers for one day since being installed in April of this year. The carbon offset of 3,856.9 pounds by the panels has contributed the equivalent of 45 trees planted and 199 gallons of gas. To view these figures and for more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/solarpower.aspx.
These panels will also be used as a tool for teaching local students about alternative energy sources, energy conservation methods and the economics of energy demand and consumption. In addition, this project will build upon Naperville's ENERGY STAR partnership that began in April 2009.
Renewable Energy systems, such as wind turbines and solar panels, are relatively new trends, and the city's existing zoning ordinance does not directly address their installation and maintenance. In an effort to provide guidelines for installation of these types of renewable energy systems, the City of Naperville has undertaken proposed zoning amendments related to wind and solar energy. The Small Wind and Solar Renewable Energy Ordinance is scheduled for public hearing again before the Plan Commission on Wednesday, October 6 and is anticipated to go before the City Council later this year. Anyone interested in learning more about this proposed ordinance should visit www.naperville.il.us/renewableenergy.aspx.
For more information on the City of Naperville's environmental initiatives, visit www.naperville.il.us/environment.aspx. Sign up to receive Green e-News for periodic updates on Naperville's environmental initiatives at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com
The benefits of these domestic panels are that we can get hot water throughout the year.
ReplyDeletesolar panel