ESA Renewables Installs Rooftop Solar Array on Eco Serendib on St. John USVI

On the rooftop of an eco-friendly luxury villa on St. John, USVI, ESA Renewables installs solar panels.

ESA Renewables, a leading turnkey solar system provider, recently announced the installation of a photovoltaic energy generating solar array on the US Virgin Island of St. John.

St. John, the smallest and least commercial of the US Virgin Islands, is home to Eco Serendib Villa and Spa, an eco-friendly, luxury villa frequented by discerning visitors from around the world. Recently, ESA Renewables completed the installation of a 16kW solar array on the villa’s rooftop.

“As solar panels are installed on an increasing number of commercial rooftops, we see a significant reduction on the buildings’ total energy costs,” said Jeffrey Burkett, President of ESA Renewables. “Additionally, as more businesses strive to reduce their carbon footprint, a solar photovoltaic system such as the one ESA Renewables recently installed at the eco-villa resort on St. John makes sense, not only financially, but environmentally as well.”

“At Eco Serendib Villa and Spa, we are not only dedicated to offering our guests a luxury environment that exceeds expectations, but also one that minimizes the carbon footprint,” said Harith Wickrema, president of award-winning Harith Productions Ltd. and the villa’s visionary. “ESA Renewables has been a valuable part of making that ideal a reality and we are delighted to have partnered with them on this project.”

The 16kW rooftop solar energy generating system in St. John’s utilizes high efficiency solar cells and modules from Suniva and is expected to produce more than 23,360 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year by converting sunlight into pollution-free electricity. It is expected to offset over 35,512 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. That’s the equivalent of taking over 1,100 cars off the road for a day.

Having made every effort to be luxurious while being green, Eco Serendib Villa and Spa will utilize the solar array to meet their electric needs such as: guest room power, pool pump equipment, gourmet kitchen, and the resort’s external lighting. The villa is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has incorporated a number of eco-friendly products that fit with its green mission and goals.

About ESA Renewables, LLC

Located in Lake Mary, FL, ESA Renewables has positioned itself as a leader in the industry providing turnkey solar PV systems globally. ESA owns and operates a diverse portfolio of over 475 solar PV power generating facilities located in the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain and Italy. ESA’s scope of services includes financing, engineering, construction, testing and operation and maintenance. With headquarters in Castellon Spain, ESA has additional offices in Florida, Puerto Rico, France and Italy. For more information about ESA Renewables, LLC, please visit http://www.esarenewables.com or call 407-268-6455.

About Eco Serendib Villa and Spa

Eco Serendib Villa and Spa, which debuted in June 2011, sets new standards for eco-friendly luxury on St. John in the USVI. With eight elegant suites, a full-service spa and all the amenities and services of an exquisite private residence, Eco Serendib offers a sumptuous and serene home-base. Visit www.ecoserendib.com.

ESA Renewables Complete Power Plant Monitoring Solution Includes Both Inverter Hardware and Software

Total solution eliminates need for separate hardware and software companies, resulting in a single source responsibility for more streamlined monitoring.

ESA Renewables, recently announced its proprietary monitoring system for renewable energy power plants that provides a complete turnkey product. This innovative solution includes not only the integrated hardware, but also the monitoring software.

“Unlike other companies, ESA doesn’t need to use third party solutions for its monitoring equipment. ESA is able to provide the inverter hardware and the software as a complete package to the end customer,” said Jeffrey Burkett. “This reliable and complete solution demonstrates that ESA truly is a cutting edge and proactive company.”

ESA’s renewable energy monitoring solution addresses strong customer demand for an integrated monitoring system. Providing both the hardware and software inside a complete monitoring option eliminates the troubleshooting, project delays and additional costs associated with traditional in-field monitoring installations. Factory integration and testing of ESA’s UL-listed monitoring solution ensures turn-key operation at installation and no need for an external monitoring software provider.

ESA’s proprietary monitoring system can be integrated into any renewable energy installation. It allows for simplified, centralized, reliable and secure data management of power plants, an essential part of achieving maximum energy production from a renewable energy system. The monitoring system also allows plant owners to reduce system downtime, increase performance and make informed decisions as to operations and maintenance (O&M) services. Additionally, with ESA’s monitoring solution, system managers are automatically alerted of events to allow for quick response, resulting in maximum energy output with minimal expenses.

With the company’s ability to provide EPC, financing, O&M services and a single source monitoring system, ESA closes the loop providing a complete turnkey solution. Customers receive a complete renewable energy plant development and management solution that is backed by ESA’s years of experience gained from their testing facility, in the engineering of innovative products, inverter monitoring, site expertise and worldwide services infrastructure for optimum project performance.

“Not only does ESA’s monitoring system give our customers one point of contact, but by partnering with ESA, our customers can count on us for everything from EPC, to financing, commissioning, monitoring and O&M. ESA does it all,” added Burkett.

About ESA Renewables, LLC:

Located in Lake Mary, FL, ESA Renewables has positioned itself as a leader in the industry providing turnkey solar PV systems globally. ESA owns and operates a diverse portfolio of over 475 solar PV power generating facilities located in the United States, Puerto Rico, Spain and Italy. ESA’s scope of services includes financing, engineering, construction, testing and operation and maintenance. With headquarters in Castellon Spain, ESA has additional offices in Florida, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, France and Italy. For more information about ESA Renewables, LLC, please visit http://www.esarenewables.com or call 407-268-6455.

ESA Renewables Complete Power Plant Monitoring Solution Includes Both Inverter Hardware and Software

Total solution eliminates need for separate hardware and software companies, resulting in a single source responsibility for more streamlined monitoring.

ESA Renewables, recently announced its proprietary monitoring system for renewable energy power plants that provides a complete turnkey product. This innovative solution includes not only the integrated hardware, but also the monitoring software.

“Unlike other companies, ESA doesn’t need to use third party solutions for its monitoring equipment. ESA is able to provide the inverter hardware and the software as a complete package to the end customer,” said Jeffrey Burkett. “This reliable and complete solution demonstrates that ESA truly is a cutting edge and proactive company.”

ESA’s renewable energy monitoring solution addresses strong customer demand for an integrated monitoring system. Providing both the hardware and software inside a complete monitoring option eliminates the troubleshooting, project delays and additional costs associated with traditional in-field monitoring installations. Factory integration and testing of ESA’s UL-listed monitoring solution ensures turn-key operation at installation and no need for an external monitoring software provider.

ESA’s proprietary monitoring system can be integrated into any renewable energy installation. It allows for simplified, centralized, reliable and secure data management of power plants, an essential part of achieving maximum energy production from a renewable energy system. The monitoring system also allows plant owners to reduce system downtime, increase performance and make informed decisions as to operations and maintenance (O&M) services. Additionally, with ESA’s monitoring solution, system managers are automatically alerted of events to allow for quick response, resulting in maximum energy output with minimal expenses.

With the company’s ability to provide EPC, financing, O&M services and a single source monitoring system, ESA closes the loop providing a complete turnkey solution. Customers receive a complete renewable energy plant development and management solution that is backed by ESA’s years of experience gained from their testing facility, in the engineering of innovative products, inverter monitoring, site expertise and worldwide services infrastructure for optimum project performance.

“Not only does ESA’s monitoring system give our customers one point of contact, but by partnering with ESA, our customers can count on us for everything from EPC, to financing, commissioning, monitoring and O&M. ESA does it all,” added Burkett.

Solar Powered Wireless Keyboards

The Macintosh edition of Logitech’s solar-powered wireless keyboard connects to your systems with a 2.4 gigahertz Unifying receiver.

Logitech has come out with the Macintosh edition of their wireless solar keyboard.  Like its PC-focused sibling, the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac uses onboard solar cells to self-power using either sunlight or ambient light. No more batteries. On a full charge, it can work up to three months in total darkness. It connects via a 2.4 gigahertz wireless Unifying receiver.
The keyboard is shipping in the United States and Europe. It carries a suggested retail price of $59.99 and it comes in five colors: black (pictured), white, blue, green and pink.

SOURCE: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/green/green-gadget-of-the-week-logitech-solar-keyboard-for-mac/18495

Largest Solar Thermal Plant in World Converting to PV

Two months ago, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Gov. Jerry Brown were at the ground breaking ceremony for Solar Millennium's Blythe solar plant. The project was slated to create 1,000 jobs inject $460 million into the local economy.

That rosy vision was clouded this week as Solar Trust of America, Solar Millennium's parent company, announced the 1,000-megawatt project is now on hold for retooling. The company is abandoning its plans to use solar thermal technology and will switch to the less expensive and less complex photovoltaic -- and an estimated cut of 50 percent in jobs.

The change will mean fewer jobs and delays of a year or more while the project gets new permits from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

Solar thermal, also called concentrated solar, produces electricity from heat gathered in reflective solar troughs. Photovoltaic solar panels generate electricity directly from sunlight.

Edward Sullivan, Solar Trust's vice president for external affairs, acknowledged using photovoltaic panels would mean fewer jobs overall but more for local workers since installing panels does not require as high a skill-set as solar thermal.  He also said the decision to go with PV was driven by money.

The change also means the project no longer qualifies for the $2.1 billion federal loan guarantee it was awarded earlier this year. It will be financed instead through commercial markets.

The Blythe plant is among four large-scale solar projects planned on public land off Interstate 10 east of the Coachella Valley.  Whether the project's environmental impact report also will need to be revised or amended has yet to be decided, although that has been required for other projects switching to PV such as the 663-megawatt Calico project in San Bernardino County.

Joan Taylor, chair of the Sierra Club's Desert Energy Committee, hopes repermitting will provide the opportunity for a second look at the project's impact on the sensitive plants and animals on the site.  Sullivan said the project's footprint, 7,025 acres, will likely remain about the same.

Touted as what would be the largest solar plant in the world, the Blythe project is the latest in a growing list of solar thermal projects that have been converted to PV, a trend driven by the falling price of solar panels.  While the cost for solar thermal is now running about $4 per watt, panels come in around $2.90 a watt.

Such figures could mean Blythe and other solar thermal projects do not pencil out well for potential investors, driving developers such as Solar Trust to PV to ensure financing.

SOURCE: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110820/BUSINESS/108200308/Massive-solar-project-hold?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage