OPEL Solar International has announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to install a tracker-based solar system at the Aquarion Water Company's ("Aquarion") D.W. Loiselle Water Treatment Plant at Trap Falls Reservoir in Shelton, Connecticut. This Aquarion solar facility advances OPEL's and Aquarion's commitment to environmental stewardship.
The project will showcase OPEL Solar's superior solar tracker products. This solar facility will use both the TF-800 single-axis tracker and the SF-45 dual-axis tracker. OPEL's trackers follow the path of the sun during the day to produce more energy from any brand of solar panel than could be expected from the same panel in a "fixed" or non-tracking installation.
The Aquarion project is forecasted to produce approximately 43 MWh of energy per year, which is approximately 22% more energy than would be expected from the same panels in a fixed installation.
The project will be used to offset the energy required to operate the Aquarion facility. The site will provide a demonstration site to Aquarion to confirm the effectiveness of implementing this type of system at other sites. As part of the agreement, OPEL will build and operate the solar power plant which will also demonstrate, to other OPEL customers, the benefits of solar trackers in climates such as in New England.
Leon M. Pierhal, OPEL Solar CEO, commented, "We are pleased to reach this agreement with Aquarion for this solar project at its water treatment facility. Of significant importance is that this is the first installation for OPEL Solar at a private or municipally owned water plant."
Pierhal added, "Typically, water and waste water plants provide a great opportunity to utilize clean solar energy to reduce power purchases. Our Solar tracker installations can be an ideal, cost effective model for private utilities and municipalities nationwide."
Charles V. Firlotte, Aquarion's President and CEO, stated: "We have been working diligently on a series of measures to reduce the company's 'carbon footprint,' or the amount of CO2 emitted due to our operations. This agreement with OPEL Solar for our Shelton facility is one of the many projects we are undertaking. By using OPEL Solar's advanced tracker technology, we will be able to generate much more energy than we could have expected from fixed technologies. We are also happy to showcase OPEL's trackers for other companies considering solar tracking projects."
OPEL Solar tracker product line can be matched with any type of solar panel technology, providing greater flexibility for integrators and engineering firms choosing a tracker for a solar field installation.
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