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Washington Gas Energy Systems, a subsidiary of WGL, completed a 1 MW Cogenra Solar array for Tucson Electric Power (TEP) in University of Arizona’s UA Tech Park.
The array at the so-called “Solar Zone” project consists of ground-mounted Cogenra T14 systems using Cogenra’s Dense Cell Interconnect (DCI) technology, which recently set three world records for peak power output. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the completion of the solar array, the final project in the first phase of the UA Tech Park Solar Zone.
Sanjiv Mahan, chief operating officer of Washington Gas Energy Systems, said, “The range of technology at the Solar Zone exemplifies the range of opportunity for organizations to reduce their environmental impact, and we will continue to invest in renewable energy assets that help businesses and organizations reduce their bottom lines.”
The 1MW Solar Zone facility will be owned and operated by Washington Gas Energy Systems under a 20-year power purchase agreement with TEP. Cogenra’s DCI technology set three world records for peak power output by boosting module power up to 15% compared to currently available modules. By eliminating the need for ribbons, solder-joints and inter-cell gaps, DCI technology efficiently connects cells on the module. DCI modules achieve a range of benefits, including increased power, better reliability and improved aesthetics, at a lower cost-per-watt.
“Together with TEP and the University of Arizona, we are achieving the highest module power ever recorded, applying Cogenra’s DCI technology to the exact same PV cells used in the past,” said Dr. Gilad Almogy, chief executive officer and founder of Cogenra Solar. “As we can apply this innovative approach to well-established PV supply chains, DCI is poised to transform the market economics of going solar.”
The installation will produce 1,986 MWh of solar energy per year, enough to serve the electrical needs of about 180 homes in Tucson. The output will help TEP to meet or exceed the mandates of Arizona’s Renewable Energy Standard, which requires electric utilities to increase their use of renewable energy, each year, until it accounts for 15% of their power in 2025.
The UA Tech Park’s Solar Zone is one of the largest multi-technology testing, evaluation and demonstration sites in the world. Phase 1.0 of the Solar Zone occupies 165 acres of land. With the completion of the Washington Gas Energy Systems project, the Solar Zone now generates 23 MW of power.
Washington Gas Energy Systems celebrated the completion of another solar array on Monday, October 27, with a ribbon cutting event in Sacramento, Calif. The 1.5 MW system, completed in partnership with Conergy, is located at Sutter’s Landing Park and will generate power for use by the City.