Del Norte Goes Solar in a Big Way

Oct. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Denver, October 18, 2011 – Del Norte, a small town in the San Luis Valley, has not just gone a little solar; they have gone all the way.  Using solar photovoltaic systems and energy efficiency equipment the Town is zeroing out carbon emissions from electricity usage on their Police Station, Town Hall, Shop, Sewer Lagoons and Wells.  The cost of the project is $1.5 million however no public money has been used.

"We wanted to save money as well as go solar.  Our savings on electricity are about $3,000 per year,” said Town Administrator Bernadette Martinez. “The savings from energy efficiency equipment included in the project are three times that."

ClearEnergy Inc developed the project with Martinez, Trustee Marty Asplin and the Town Board. ClearEnergy brought the investors, equipment and installation skills.  The Town will pay for the solar production on a 20 year agreement.  The project will be completed late November 2011.

Asplin commented that they appreciate the cooperation of San Luis Valley Rural Electric Co-op (SLVREC) in assisting to interconnect with this community based project meter at the Town’s sewer lagoons.  Because of its size, SLVREC will buy the generated power under a Purchase Power Agreement between Clear Energy and SLVREC. The other sites are served by Xcel Energy, which has a standard program for solar.

ClearEnergy's Vice President and Chief Operating Office Mark Simmons specifically included energy efficiency equipment, adding the solar arrays as needed.  The equipment delivers transient voltage surge suppression, capacitance and power factor correction.  

"By reducing electricity usage and peak demand first, the solar component can be smaller.  Though solar prices are less than half of what they were just a few years ago it is still a significant investment,” said Simmons. “Homes and businesses are much more likely to be able to afford their solar array if this equipment is used in conjunction."

ClearEnergy Project Manager Chris Hamilton hired Dynamic Integration of Montrose to install the systems. Photos, designs and other resources are available upon request. For more information, visit www.clearenergy-inc.com.  

About Del Norte
Del Norte is 31 miles west of Alamosa in the San Luis Valley– one of the sunniest, best places in the nation for solar.  The Town has become the Gateway to All Season Fun, from biking, hiking, camping, fishing, backpacking, hunting, shopping, to skiing and snowmobiling.  They have everything from dining, and lodging, to local shopping at some of the most unique stores in the San Luis Valley.

About ClearEnergy, Inc.
ClearEnergy Inc. is the US unit for Clear Energy Group, seven solar companies based in Germany and the UK.  The Group is owned by 16 year veterans of solar Friedhelm Widmann and Jörg Schreiber, who have completed 8,000 projects.  The US unit was formed January 2011 when they hired Mark Simmons to manage US Operations. Mr. Simmons has been involved in 320 solar projects in Colorado.  The company distributes solar equipment and serves solar installers in 26 states, plus develops projects for government, commercial and non-profit clients.