THE NEW VALUE FRONTIER
News » 2011 » SunDurance Energy Partners with KYOCERA and Solaire Generation to Complete a 300-kW Solar Parking Canopy at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

News

SunDurance Energy Partners with KYOCERA and Solaire Generation to Complete a 300-kW Solar Parking Canopy at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Installation to be "Technology Project Tour" for Solar Power International in Dallas

EDISON, N.J., Oct 06, 2011 -- SunDurance Energy and its project partners, Kyocera Solar and Solaire Generation, announced today 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.

About SunDurance Energy, LLC

SunDurance Energy, LLC is a solar energy company that develops, designs, builds and operates megawatt-scale solar power solutions for the commercial and industrial, government, and utility-scale markets. An affiliate of The Conti Group, SunDurance Energy is a leading solar provider with high-profile projects at Rutgers University, William Paterson University, Morris County Improvement Authority, the NY Jets training facility, and many more. SunDurance Energy is the recipient of the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies in 2011, Interstate Renewable Energy Council's 2009 Innovation Award and The Utility & Transportation Contractors Association's 2010 Construction Safety Award. For more information please visit www.SunDuranceEnergy.com .

About Kyocera

Kyocera Corporation (http://global.kyocera.com ), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2011, the company's net sales totaled 1.27 trillion yen (approx. USD15.3 billion). The company is ranked #604 on Forbes magazine's 2011 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.

About Solaire Generation

Solaire Generation is the market leader in solar carport design, fabrication, innovation and technology, specializing in transforming parking lots into beautiful solar power plants. Solaire Generation has designed, engineered, fabricated and installed projects for clients such as Dow Jones, Johnson & Johnson, GE and the US military, including the largest corporate solar carport project in the US (3.6 MW). Headquartered in New York City, Solaire's structures are designed and fabricated in the US. For more information, visit www.solairegeneration.com .