Open Energy Corporation (OEGY.OB), a California-based solar power development company, announced Thursday that it has completed installation of its largest solar electric project to date, totaling 17,000+ square feet of glass panels embedded with photovoltaic cells, for the California Academy of Sciences, a soon-to-open science museum in San Francisco.
The solar panel array will ring the museum’s roof, generating 213,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, or about 10% of the Academy’s anticipated electrical needs, and will be one of the biggest photovoltaic glass canopies in the United States. The solar installation will also be a key factor in the Academy’s attempt to achieve LEED Platinum certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U. S. Green Building Council.
Open Energy is a renewable energy company with a focus on solar energy and photovoltaics. The company emphasizes that, every day, the earth receives enough solar energy to fulfill its entire energy requirements for one full year.
Open Energy (OEC) offers SolarSave® photovoltaic roofing materials and equipment for commercial, industrial, and residential markets. The company also holds an exclusive, worldwide license to a solar thermal technology called SunCone™ CSP (Concentrating Solar Power), which is currently being developed to produce electricity and potable water using only the power of the sun.
OEC has developed and patented a portfolio of breakthrough technologies to expand the use of solar energy in the commercial production of electricity, fresh water, and related commodities. The company plans to build strong domestic and international demand for SolarSave® products via industry promotions, and through their network of dealers and solar integrators, while also completing development and commercialization of their SunCone™ technology.
OEC bases its plans on the fact that renewable energy is becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors of the global economy, due to escalating oil and gas prices, political instability in the Middle East, growing concerns about the impacts of global warming, and clear public support for energy alternatives. Since 2000, the global solar industry has accelerated at an average annual growth rate of 38%, according to industry consulting firm Solarbuzz, and is expected to grow to over $18 billion by 2010. Government grants, tax incentives, and requirements that utilities buy back excess power generated by photovoltaic systems, have all helped to spur the growth of the solar industry.
The company points out that, although Japan currently leads the world in photovoltaics, followed by Germany, the U.S. now ranks third with 30% tax credits provided by the recently enacted U.S. Energy Bill, and incentive programs offered in all 50 states. In 2005, California passed the largest solar funding initiative in U.S. history.
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