Advanced Energy Inverters Used In Oregon's First Utility-Scale
Solar Energy Project
FORT COLLINS, Colo.,
Dec. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEIS), today announced
that its utility-scale AE 500NX inverters were used for
Oregon's first utility-scale solar
energy project, which is also the largest utility-owned and
operated solar energy site in the state. The Black Cap Solar
Facility, a two-megawatt solar farm in Lakeview, Ore., was completed by Swinerton
Renewable Energy, a leading engineering, procurement and
construction (EPC) builder in the solar utility industry. Black Cap
is operated by PacifiCorp to benefit the utility's 1.7 million
customers in six western states.
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Swinerton chose the AE 500NX because of Advanced Energy (AE)
Solar Energy's track record in utility-scale projects, its
unsurpassed customer service, and for the product's low cost and
proven reliability.
"Large scale projects like these are helping utilities meet
their renewable energy goals at lower costs, and we were sure AE
would be the right choice, given its proven success on projects of
this size," said George Hershman,
vice president and division manager at Swinerton Renewable Energy.
"We have been impressed by the product's built-in features and
robust design and AE's customer service has been invaluable. We
look forward to working on similar projects with AE in the
future."
The AE 500NX features a high-power, transformerless, bipolar
design, which reduces balance of system cost (BoS) and increases
return on investment (ROI). The inverter allows solar project
stakeholders to offer system owners a lower levelized cost of
energy (LCOE) and confidence their PV system will deliver on
long-term production goals.
"AE is proud to be a part of this project and a member of the
Oregon community, which places a
high value on solar energy," said Gordon
Tredger, president for AE Solar Energy. "Our AE 500NX
inverters are being deployed widely for utility-scale projects
because of the industry-best ROI we offer to developers,
utilities, and financiers for their solar energy investments."
The Black Cap Solar Facility was dedicated on Friday, Nov. 9, and provides solar energy equal
to the annual usage of approximately 400 average customer homes.
The project consists of 9,000 panels installed on 20 acres of land,
incorporating tracking technology to follow the path of the sun and
increase energy harvest throughout the day.
"We're proud to be able to place this facility in an area we
serve, while also helping Lake
County advance its goal to become 'The New Energy
Frontier,'" said Mark Tallman, vice
president, renewable resources for PacifiCorp Energy, the
PacifiCorp unit that operates the company's owned renewable
resources. "We're also pleased that it provided a business
opportunity for Advanced Energy, one of our central Oregon customers. Altogether, the Black Cap
project has helped support the economy in two of our counties while
providing environmental benefits for the region and renewable
energy for our customers."
AE's solar energy business delivers highly reliable inverters,
complementary BoS products and robust O&M services that allow
its customers to secure more solar projects and grow their
business. AE Solar Energy enables utility-scale, commercial and
residential solar project stakeholders to offer system owners a
lower LCOE and confidence their PV system will deliver on long-term
production goals. With more than 30 years of leadership in
delivering innovative energy solutions, combined with a legendary
reputation for customer service, AE is a trusted partner to solar
project developers, financiers and beneficiaries around the
globe.
About Advanced Energy
Advanced Energy (Nasdaq: AEIS) is a global leader in reliable power
conversion solutions used in thin-film plasma manufacturing and
solar energy generation. Founded in 1981, Advanced Energy is
headquartered in Fort Collins,
Colo. with dedicated support and service locations around
the world. For more information, go to www.advanced-energy.com
.
About Swinerton Renewable Energy
Swinerton Renewable Energy has traditionally offered turn-key solar
power solutions for utility scale, and has distributed generation
projects with over three gigawatts of power generation and solar
expertise. The Swinerton Family of Companies provides commercial
construction and construction management services throughout
the United States and is a 100%
employee-owned company. Recognized nationally since 1888, Swinerton
is the preferred builder and trusted partner in every market they
serve -- proudly leading with integrity, passion, and excellence.
For more information on Swinerton, visit their blog
SwinertonBuildsTomorrow, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and
LinkedIn.
About PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in
the United States, serving more
than 1.7 million customers in the West. PacifiCorp operates as
Pacific Power in Oregon,
Washington and California, and as Rocky Mountain Power in
Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. With a generating capability of almost
10,600 megawatts from coal, hydro, gas-fired combustion turbines
and renewable wind and geothermal power, the company works to meet
growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the
environment.
SOURCE Advanced Energy Industries