News
Tampa Electric Co. Launches 'Smart' Solar Pilot Project Featuring Petra Solar's Sunwave
Systems On Poles
(Hollywood, FL - June 15, 2010) - Tampa Electric Company today announced it has launched a pilot project evaluating "smart" solar energy systems mounted on utility and streetlight poles. The project is in collaboration with Petra Solar, a South Plainfield, N.J. based clean tech company whose trademarked SunWave™ solar photovoltaic systems not only generate solar power but also enhance Smart Grid capabilities and electric grid reliability. Both companies joined in making the announcement at the Edison Electric Institute's Annual Convention/Expo today.
Petra Solar's SunWave systems are now installed on poles in a test facility at Tampa Electric, an investor-owned utility based in Tampa. The electric company is committed to supplementing its energy portfolio with renewable energy sources and is exploring options that are viable, cost-effective and enhance the company's delivery of electric power to its 667,000 customers in an area of more than 2,000 square miles in West Central Florida.
This collaboration, the first step in establishing a commercial relationship, is one of several Petra Solar pilot projects underway in North America. The company is engaged with more than 40 additional utilities around the country and the world that have expressed interest in the SunWave system. Petra Solar also is currently fulfilling a $200 million contract with PSE&G, New Jersey's largest utility company, to provide SunWave systems for installation on 200,000 streetlight and utility poles. When completed in 2012, the project will contribute 40 megawatts to PSE&G's generation capacity.
Tampa Electric President Gordon Gillette said, "We are pleased to participate in this study with Petra to determine how to better integrate solar photovoltaic installations into our service territory. The study also will help us better understand how to utilize this technology with future Smart Grid applications."
"We're proud to team up with Tampa Electric to move ahead with our newest pilot project," said Dr. Shihab Kuran, CEO and President of Petra Solar. "Our SunWave systems turn utility poles into solar generators. The systems provide Smart Grid capabilities through real-time communications between solar generators in the field and the utility control center. In addition, they enhance electric distribution grid reliability to help stabilize the grid during periods of increased load."
In order to evaluate the Petra Solar system, Tampa Electric installed the SunWave solar systems in its utility test yard. The panels, which weigh 55 to 65 pounds and can be installed in less than 30 minutes, were mounted to wood and concrete utility poles and aluminum streetlight poles. Tampa Electric apprentice linemen installed the solar panels.
Dr. Kuran noted that Petra Solar has longstanding ties to Florida. The company has been awarded two Florida High Tech Corridor (FHT) grants for developing advanced integrated photovoltaic systems. It licensed its initial intellectual property from the University of Central Florida and is supporting UCF's efforts in securing grants from Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC). Petra Solar already has a physical presence in Florida and is committed to expanding in the state, including establishing a manufacturing operation and creating more green jobs.
About Tampa Electric
Tampa Electric has supplied the Tampa Bay area with electricity since 1899. Its West Central Florida service area covers all of Hillsborough County and parts of Polk, Pasco and Pinellas counties. It is the principal subsidiary of TECO Energy, Inc. (NYSE: TE), an integrated energy-related holding company with core businesses in the utility sector, complemented by a family of unregulated businesses. Tampa Electric Company is a regulated utility with both electric and gas divisions (Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas System.) For more information about Tampa Electric visit www.tampaelectric.com.
About Petra Solar
Petra Solar, based in South Plainfield, NJ, is the pioneer of grid-tied, pole-mounted, distributed solar generation systems. SunWave combines solar energy with Smart Grid communications and electric grid enhancement functions. For more information about Petra Solar visit www.petrasolar.com.
For Tampa Electric
Rick Morera
Tel: 813.228.4945
Email: rjmorera@tecoenergy.com
For Petra Solar:
Becky Taylor
Tel: 609.240.6886
Email: becky.taylor@petrasolar.com