News
Petra Solar Sponsors Gridweek 2009, Conference Luncheon
Clean Energy Company Is Supplier in Largest Solar PV Electric Project Under Construction in the World
(WASHINGTON DC, Sept. 22, 2009) Petra Solar, the clean energy technology company producing intelligent photovoltaic solar systems for the largest solar PV project under construction in the world, is a Gold sponsor at GridWeek, the international summit of SmartGrid thought leaders taking place in Washington DC this week.
On Wednesday, when the conference's theme will be Industry Directions, Petra Solar will host the luncheon for conference attendees. This will follow Petra Solar's participation in a roundtable discussion entitled "Storage & Renewables: Beyond Green, Game-changing Power Storage and Production." Dr. Shihab Kuran, President and CEO of Petra Solar, will participate in a roundtable discussion at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
"My colleagues at Petra Solar and I are pleased to support GridWeek, where leaders in clean energy technologies collaborate on efforts to energize the economy and build a future of sustainable and reliable energy," said Dr. Kuran. "Developing innovative, cost effective approaches to green energy generation is imperative to our future. We must work together to craft effective policies and explore technological advances while pursuing our entrepreneurial efforts individually."
Petra Solar's recent efforts have focused on solar photovoltaic solutions that allow utilities to maximize the value of their existing resources in innovative ways.
"Petra Solar's SunWave™ intelligent PV solar technology enables utilities to make use of existing utility poles to host solar units, creating a distributed system of power generation throughout their service area," Dr. Kuran said.
This month, Petra Solar began shipping its SunWave units in the largest solar PV electric project under construction in the world. PSE&G, New Jersey's largest utility, recently received approval from New Jersey regulators for its Solar 4 All Program. PSE&G and Petra Solar entered into a contract, valued at $200 million, which requires Petra Solar to deliver approximately 200,000 SunWave units for installation by PSE&G, which plans to install the poles in its service territory of the state's six largest cities and some 300 rural and suburban communities.
Dr. Kuran noted that SunWave technology not only turns poles into solar generators, it can also communicate with the electric grid and can offer smart grid capabilities. The systems can improve grid reliability through real-time communications between solar generators in the field and the utility control center. In addition, the Petra systems can enhance electric distribution grid reliability through a host of capabilities such as voltage and frequency monitoring and reactive power compensation.
In addition to securing the PSE&G contract in July, that same month Petra Solar was awarded the prestigious $3 million SEGIS contract by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop power management and control technologies that will enable a higher penetration of distributed solar in the electric grid. Petra will work with the University of Central Florida (Orlando. FL) and 15 electric utilities with service in NJ, PA, OH, DE, MD, DC, FL and TX.
Also in July, Petra Solar became the first business awarded funding under New Jersey's Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund.
"We are very gratified that our business interests line up directly with the public's interest in producing clean energy and green jobs," said Dr. Kuran.
About Petra Solar:
Petra Solar is the pioneer of grid tied, pole mounted, distributed solar generation systems. The SunWave system combines solar energy with smart grid communications and electric grid enhancement functions to create a comprehensive utility grade solution for utilities.
For more information, please visit www.petrasolar.com.
Media queries, please contact Becky Taylor becky.taylor@petrasolar.com