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| Prospective PV array project  NRG Shift has been selected as the alternative energy consultant for Rolling Hills Ranch in their residential and commercial land development project. The development is comprised of ranch properties and a large commercial development area with an Intermodal Rail Port planned which includes warehousing for large shipments of products being brought in from outside the U.S. "Prospectively dubbed the 'Intermodal Array;' the roof-top PV array would generate clean, renewable power from the sun without taking up valuable land at the project site," says Brandon O'Donnell, Managing Director for NRG Shift. Although the area is worth considering for wind power, current covenant restrictions limit larger-scale wind generation options so primary interest is in a large-scale rooftop array for the immense buildings in the intermodal port. A representative of Rolling Hills Ranch stated that "Viability is certainly there for landowners at the development that wish to take advantage of solar tax credits and rebates from Arizona and Federal energy programs and we hope the tax credits will be extended by the Obama Administration." The prospective array project would cover tens of thousands of square meters of warehouse space, making a significant impact on energy costs and helping Arizona meet its 15 percent goal for renewable power in the State. The group also hopes to assist the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to enhance energy efficiency and productivity. The rooftop arrays will serve two important purposes at the Rolling Hills Ranch development: first and foremost they will provide a long-term, reliable source of renewable energy powered by the sun. Second, and not to be treated lightly, they will increase efficiency of the intermodal port simply by their existence, lowering the carbon footprint, increasing carbon credits of the facility dramatically. By adding solar arrays to the wide open expanses of rooftops, which are continually immersed in solar energy, the result may be an insulating factor, further reducing heat transfer into the building itself, increasing worker comfort without increasing either cooling capacity or energy usage. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Construction News :: home page |