NOVATO, CA, July 1, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- EI Solutions, one of California's fastest growing solar power integrators, announced yesterday that it has been awarded a contract by Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District to engineer, supply, and construct a 594kW solar photovoltaic power system. The system will provide enough clean solar power to supply over 88% of the District's future energy needs. Covering nearly two acres of District property, the system will feature the largest ground-mounted solar array in the San Francisco Bay Area.
"We're excited about the project and pleased to have been selected by the District for this opportunity," said Arno Harris, general manager of EI Solutions. "The project enables the District to secure a long-term source of low-cost clean power while benefiting the environment at the same time."
This is not the District's first foray into solar power. Last year, the District installed a smaller 88kW system, also provided by EI Solutions, to power a remote water reclamation pump. In large part, it was the District's careful monitoring of the smaller system's performance that supported a decision to proceed with the second project. Because the smaller solar power project delivered the promised amount of energy, the District felt confident about moving ahead with a larger commitment. The fact that EI Solutions provided an innovative set of guarantees to ensure the system will generate the desired amount of energy was another important factor in the decision.
The 594kW solar power system will generate in excess of 825,000 kilowatt-hours of electrical energy per year, and it is expected to pay for itself in about 10 years. EI Solutions worked closely with Sharp Solar to develop the winning design proposal. The system features 2,898 Sharp ND-205U1 205 Watt photovoltaic modules. A properly designed solar power system will generate energy year-after-year for 30 years or more. The investment in a solar power system therefore ensures a stable, long-term, cost-effective supply of ultra-clean energy for the District's main wastewater treatment plant.
Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District (www.lgvsd.org) provides sewer services to over 32,000 residents in an area that extends from the Marin Civic Center to Marinwood. On average, the District treats 3.56-million gallons of wastewater per day. LGVSD has taken a leadership role in its service area providing information to local residents, businesses and schoolchildren about wastewater treatment, pollution prevention, recycling and the environment. The District is operated by a Board of Directors elected by the voters within the District's service area.
EI Solutions (http://solutions.energyinnovations.com) is continuing the business of Prevalent Power, a leading solar power systems integrator, following its acquisition by Energy Innovations in December of 2004. Energy Innovations was founded in 2000 by entrepreneur and CEO, Bill Gross, to deliver cost-effective, grid-competitive solar electric power. The company is developing the world's first mass-produced rooftop photovoltaic tracking concentrator system, called the Sunflower, and recently raised $16.5 million from Idealab and Mohr Davidow Ventures. EI Solutions functions as the solar power sales, engineering, project finance, and installation subsidiary of Energy Innovations. The management team of EI Solutions brings over 25 years of experience in the solar, commercial, utility electric industry and over 45 combined years of experience serving Fortune 1000 and government customers with technology solutions. EI Solutions is a licensed electrical and general contractor.
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