MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY, part of the globally operating MAGE GROUP, unveiled its solar powered electric car charging station to the public in a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by numerous elected officials and business leaders.
As one of the first solar-powered stations in the state, the car charger is part of the academy’s growing technology park. Displaying different photovoltaic applications, the outdoor solar exhibit wants to familiarize students with a wide range of photovoltaic applications from solar powered, battery-tied lights to architecturally integrated awnings, and grid-tied usages such as the car charger.
Its latest addition is a stylish 3.42 kW canopy powered by 18 MAGE POWERTEC Plus 190/5 modules that will charge a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) like the Chevrolet Volt or the Nissan Leaf. After State Representative Matt Hatchett welcomed the public, which has access the technology park, Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols commended MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY on its visionary approach: “This clean and safe way to fuel our cars should become the standard for America for the future as it guarantees independence for our nation and sustainability for other generations. It truly is innovation at work!”
Part of the innovative approach is in the engineering itself: composed of the signature high-performance and ARRA-compliant MAGE POWERTEC panels the design also incorporates Cantsink helical piles as structural foundation and top-of-the-line monitoring equipment next to a Sunny Boy 3000-US inverter from SMA.
“SMA is proud to team with MAGE SOLAR for its electric vehicle charging station,” said Jurgen Krehnke, President and General Manager of SMA America. “This project illustrates MAGE’s leadership in applying solar power in new and inventive ways.”
Special praise for this latest addition to MSA’s growing technology park drew the fact that besides the actual PV modules another Georgia made product was used, namely Cantsink helical piles.
Cantsink is thrilled to have participated in the car charging station project at the MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY,” stated Pat Hutchinson, President of Cantsink Manufacturing at the ceremony. “We enthusiastically support the strides that this company is making to educate people […] to further their knowledge of the solar industry, making a significant impact on this industry, the community and a world of clean energy.”
The presence of many state and local leaders at the ribbon cutting confirmed once again that the academy’s approach in not only providing professionals with outstanding quality PV-training but also making solar knowledge widely available is successful: County and city officials have actively supported the unique project which is currently the only publically accessible car charger between Savannah and Atlanta.
For Joe Thomas, President of MAGE SOLAR ACADEMY, the charging station also embodies another great partnership: “For the consumer this grid-tied application is a perfect match. While harvesting the sun’s electricity during the daytime, no compromises have to be made in terms of convenience as the grid supplies power at night. It just doesn’t get much better than this.”