Largest Commercial Solar Array in Southern Colorado

Oct. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Vibrant Solar is about to install the largest commercial solar array in Southern Colorado, a 100 Kilowatt system for Andrews Foodservice Systems on Industrial Boulevard in Pueblo West.   500 solar panels arrive over the next two weeks. The project is expected to be complete by Thanksgiving.  Along with energy controllers this system will offset 23% of Andrews' huge electricity demand, reducing pollution by 1.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year.  Owners George Andrews III, Jacque Ponx and Debbie Hinkle are proud to get this massive solar array.  George said "We are very excited to be able to reduce our electricity bills by a substantial amount.  This also marks a great attempt for us to support the ‘Go Green’ initiative and we will be looking for additional ways to expand this.  Overall, we feel this is a win in many ways; for us, the community and the environment."


Vibrant Solar is based in Denver and is all Colorado-owned.  They are dedicated to becoming a local Pueblo solar company, by hiring local people.  Vibrant has contracted Abel Engineering Professionals for structural engineering and two local firms are in line for electrical work. Canyon National Bank provided financing. Vibrant is hiring most of it Pueblo staff from the local area.  Denver managers are rotating through the Pueblo office while local staff is being trained.


Dr. Juan Trujillo, who introduced Vibrant to Andrews, commented "I am aiding Vibrant Solar for the Pueblo jobs.  The Vibrant staff have a lot of experience and knowledge.  Their design and financial projection tools are superior.  They are an excellent addition to our community."


Vibrant was first brought to town by Dr. Trujillo and his partner, southern Colorado real estate broker Thorne Davis.  They are cooperating to develop the Colorado Energy Park southeast of town.  The Colorado Energy Park vision includes new generation safe nuclear power plant with renewable energy arrays with the goal of replacing coal fired power plants for baseload electricity in southern Colorado.  AEHI and Vibrant are both involved, and the talk is a solar array between 20 megawatts and a staggering 2,000 megawatts of solar.  That would make this by far the largest solar array in the world, but even the 20 megawatt size would be the largest in Colorado and one of the largest in the USA.  Mr. Davis has been the primary catalyst, bringing together the partners in renewable and nuclear energy, to move the project forward.  Vibrant's sister company Helios Solar LLC has licensed a high efficiency concentrated solar photovoltaic product from Australia with the plan to build an assembly plant along the Front Range.


Meanwhile, Vibrant is making hay while the sun shines.  They have sold 65 solar arrays in Pueblo since July, making them one-third of the total solar market in the area.  Vibrant expects to sell six to ten systems per month as they ramp up the Pueblo operation.  This will employ a growing number of residents.  These are well paid jobs with a solid future... and the promise of many more green jobs as the economy recovers.


About Vibrant Solar, Inc.
Vibrant Solar is the second largest Colorado-owned solar photovoltaic (solar electric) designer-installer, with 2.5 megawatts sold.  Vibrant installs systems throughout the state.  With partners Vibrant installs geothermal, solar thermal systems and energy controllers, and does energy efficiency evaluations.  While Vibrant installs on homes they have specialized in commercial solar, where incentives are larger and electrical systems are more complex.  Recent customers included the Denver Botanic Gardens, Red Robin Restaurants, First National Bank, ADCO General Insurance, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals and Lockheed Martin.  Pueblo projects in process include Andrews Foodservice Systems, Colorado Saw & Tool, Cambria Suites & Midtown Shopping Center.  Vibrant has done commercial and residential projects in Pueblo, Westcliff and Alamosa, and throughout the state.



FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mark Simmons,
Vice President, Marketing & Sales
Vibrant Solar, Inc.

830 Main Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
Office 719-271-3955
Cell 720-985-8522
mark.simmons@vibrantsolar.com
http://www.vibrantsolar.com