Dec 14 2009
Electricity is now being generated at the recently constructed Loudoun County Homeless Services Center with the help of a 9.5-kilowatt array of solar panels. These solar panels were installed by Standard Solar. This structure with its air-handling systems, passive lighting features and energy efficient appliances, is expected to receive a “Silver” certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, which is nationally recognized.
Scott Wiater, President of Standard Solar, remarked that it is the company’s privilege to enable local governments all over the Mid-Atlantic region to switch over to cleaner energy sources and save taxpayer money in the long run.
Sandy Hunter, the building design manager of the County's Department of Construction and Waste Management, appreciated the new shelter’s effort to generate its own electricity by combining the funds provided by the Federal Community Development Block Grant with those from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Hunter further stated that energy systems with further improvements and cost effective features are being developed in order to establish supportive and affordable public and housing services.
The Act mandates that projects funded under the popularly known “Stimulus” law should be procured in the US only. This was challenging for the installers such as Standard Solar. However, there is an increase in the number of choices for procuring projects with US-manufactured panels and other components. This scenario is due to the availability of state, local and federal incentives for those investing in the development of renewable electricity sources.
Referring to this growth, Wiater added that the US market is now drawing the attention of many manufacturers as it holds the potential to create new jobs, improve solar businesses and establish a a clean energy future.
Source: http://www.standardsolar.com/