Solar Carport Project Completes One Of Colorado's Largest Solar Installations

Oct. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Fourteen new solar carports that if the panels were laid end-to-end would span nearly 5.5 miles are now installed and will produce approximately 1.6 megawatts of energy per year at four Denver Federal Center buildings.  This final phase completes GSA’s largest single solar installation in the United States.  Nearly 7 megawatts of additional renewable power will be online by the end of the year, saving approximately $500,000 in electricity costs annually for the campus.  This project, combined with two other solar projects, will provide more than 15 percent of campus electrical needs, enough to power 1,064 residential homes for one year.

“GSA is investing in solar power technology to not only cut operating costs but to also create jobs that will form the backbone of our nation’s 21st century economy,” said Susan Damour, GSA Regional Administrator.  “This project will be a nice benefit to our campus employees as it will provide protection from the changing weather in Colorado.”

The solar carports cover 600 parking spaces and are targeted to start producing energy next month. Solar carports are a creative way to use available land for solar arrays.  They repurpose current parking lots, add incremental economic value by lowering campus energy spending and protect cars from the elements.  The new carports come with complete electrical power infrastructure for future plug-in electric car charging stations.  Underneath, the carports feature LED lighting which reduces the energy used to light parking spaces at night and lasting five times as long as conventional lighting.  

In December 2009, E Light Wind and Solar, Inc./Centerre, a Colorado small business joint venture company, was awarded the design-build contract for the campus solar work.

“In a down construction economy, this project has allowed our company to diversify our services and train our employees in new skillsets,” said Perry Herrmann, President/CEO of E Light Wind and Solar, Inc.  Since the beginning of this two-year, multi-million dollar contract, E Light Wind and Solar, Inc. is now rapidly approaching over 165 megawatts of renewable energy installed across the United States.

For further information about E Light Wind and Solar, Inc., please visit our website www.ewindsolar.com.

# # #

E Light Wind and Solar, Inc. is a Colorado owned and operated electrical construction company with a focus on renewable energy projects. Our capabilities include the installation and maintenance of solar and wind energy systems.