SunDurance Energy and its project partners, Kyocera Solar and Solaire Generation, announced they have completed a 300 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic (PV) system for The University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in downtown Dallas. This project has been chosen as the official “Technology Project Tour” for the upcoming Solar Power International Conference this month in Dallas.
SunDurance Energy’s design incorporates 1,250 Kyocera KD240 240-watt multi-crystalline solar modules, mounted on Solaire Generation’s Solairis solar carports covering 116 parking spaces. The solar parking canopies will produce an estimated 415,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually and will provide much needed shade and protection for vehicles.
“We are finding that more clients are interested in unlocking the extra value available in their parking lots by hosting solar energy systems,” said Al Bucknam, CEO of SunDurance Energy. “The parking canopy application avoids the potential complications that can come with aging or cluttered rooftops, adds incremental economic value by lowering the University’s energy spending, and provides some vehicle coverage from sun and rain.”
UT Southwestern Medical Center joins a growing number of organizations that are turning to solar carports to maximize energy efficiency and the use of existing space. “Solaire Generation is pleased that our Solairis solar carport was selected to be an integral part of this project,” said Solaire CEO Laurence Mackler. “Our mission is to help customers tap the solar potential of parking lots, and it’s exciting to have our first Texas installation at the UT Southwestern Medical Center.”
With a 37-year history in the solar industry, Kyocera is known for producing high-performance modules with record-breaking cell efficiencies — and holds the distinction of producing the world’s first modules to have passed the Long-Term Sequential Test performed by TUV Rheinland Japan Ltd. For this installation Kyocera provided US-made solar modules that meet the “Buy American” procurement provisions. “Kyocera’s San Diego manufacturing facility helps meet the growing market demand for American-made solar modules, lessening the environmental impact of shipping and helping to create green jobs,” said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc.
The PV system took only 11 weeks to install — due in part to the commitment to quality and customer service shared by partners SunDurance, Solaire Generation and Kyocera. “We are delighted to partner with our selected PV professionals to create a solar power solution for the University that will lower our energy expenses while at the same time advance our ecological efforts by harnessing a renewable energy source to shrink our carbon footprint,” stated Kirby Vahle, UT Southwestern vice president for facilities management.