9 July 2014

Stion completes 255kW single-axis tracking project for Kern Sanitation Authority

Stion Corp of San Jose, CA, USA, which makes nanostructure-based CIGSS (copper indium gallium sulphur-diselenide) thin-film photovoltaic panels, has completed a 255kW single-axis tracking solar project at the Kern Sanitation Authority (KSA) Waste Water Treatment Plant in Bakersfield, CA.

Picture: Stion’s 255kW single-axis tracking solar project.

Stion’s project development team was selected by the KSA to provide turn-key development and installation services for the project, which was commissioned during first-quarter 2014. The solar installation will offset a significant portion of the electricity used by KSA to power its water treatment plant, and represents another commitment of the adoption of solar technology by municipal governments, says Stion.

“KSA understood that our continued dependence on traditional energy sources would be costly and insufficient given our anticipated future needs,” says KSA’s senior engineering manager Ramzi Mansour. ”After evaluating the different technology options available to us, we recognized that the Stion solution provided us with the highest Kilowatt hour (kWh) performance and the best overall value.”

Powered by 1884 thin-film modules, Stion’s flat-tracking system expects to generate about 502,000kWh per year for the water treatment plant. “This Stion tracking installation, which is designed to generate 1974kWh/kWp/year, will produce the highest energy yield for a solar system located in this vicinity,” comments Stion’s senior director of engineering Kevin Mackamul.

“Stion’s team was able to analyze KSA’s complex needs and develop a competitive and customized turn-key, PPA-financed solution for us,” says Mansour. “The solar installation will help to stabilize growing energy costs and the resulting savings benefits are an important component of our continued drive to improve operational efficiencies at the waste water treatment plant.”

Tags:  Stion CIGSSe

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