Johnson Controls creates solar system for Orlando convention center

by | May 20, 2009 | Uncategorized

From an article in the Orlando Business Journal:

The Orange County Convention Center’s $8.8 million solar project that will turn sunlight into electricity is ready to go on line.

The photovoltaic array, the largest in the Southeast, uses solar panels on the center’s roof to generate 1.1 megawatts of power, enough to provide electricity for 80 to 100 residential houses. The array is expected to considerably reduce the center’s energy demand.

The panels cover about 200,000 square feet of the north/south building’s rooftop. Visitors to the center will be able monitor the system’s output at an on-site education center. The education center also promotes the environmental and economic benefits of solar and other renewable-energy technologies.

Solar-powered housing proposed for Bay View

by | May 15, 2009 | Uncategorized

From an article by Tom Daykin in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A housing development proposed for Milwaukee’s Bay View neighborhood would produce the same amount of energy as it consumes, if the project goes forward.

The city Housing Authority is proposing the $40 million development, dubbed Eco-Bay, for the former Army Reserve site at 2372 S. Logan Ave.

Eco-Bay would feature 20 single-family homes and townhomes, which would be sold at market rates. It also would have 110 to 120 below-market rental units: 75 to 80 independent living senior apartments, and 35 to 40 assisted living senior apartments, the Department of City Development announced Thursday.

The Housing Authority would finance Eco-Bay with private investments, funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and federal tax credits given to developers of affordable housing, said Bobbi Marsells, the authority’s assistant secretary. Local developers that receive the credits agree to provide apartments at below-market rates to people earning no more than 60% of the Milwaukee area’s median income – $32,520 for a two-person household.

The authority is in the preliminary stages of obtaining financing, and it hopes to begin building the development in spring 2010.

It would be a showcase for sustainable construction.

The housing would include solar energy panels, geothermal heat pumps, and a plan to contain all storm water on the 5.6-acre site, according to the Department of City Development.

Solar Olympics scheduled for UW-Stevens Point, May 13

by | May 11, 2009 | Uncategorized

From a news release issued by WPS Community Foundation:

Green Bay, WI – Twenty-seven high school teams are set to take part in the 13th Annual Solar Olympics on Wednesday, May 13, on the campus of UW-Stevens Point. The event is free and open to the public.

The event, sponsored by WPS Community Foundation and UWSP, begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 2:30 p.m. in and around the Dreyfus University Center and Learning Resource Center. For the seventh consecutive year, a record number of schools will participate. Twelve different activities, which range from building solar devices to creating art with a solar theme, test students’ knowledge of solar energy in events ranging from solar cookers and model cars to sculptures and building design. Schools attending this year include:

Participating Schools:

Antigo High School
Ashwaubenon High School
Bay Port High School
Beecher Dunbar Pembine High School
Chilton High School
Crivitz High School
D.C. Everest High School
De Pere High School
Denmark High School
Gibraltar High School
Green Bay Southwest
Green Bay West High School
Lourdes High School, Oshkosh
Marathon High School Marinette High School
Merrill High School
Oconto High School
Oshkosh West High School
Pacelli High School
Pulaski High School
Tomahawk High School
Valders High School
Wausau High School
Wausaukee High School
West De Pere High School
Wrightstown High School
Lena High School (Observing)

“The schools’ energy and creativity really shine at Solar Olympics,” said Chip Bircher, Renewable Energy Product Manager for WPS. “These high school students are really enthused about making a difference with renewable energy. Many of our customers are investigating “green” options to benefit the environment, and Solar Olympics is a great event for everyone to learn more.”