Schneider Electric solar farm project earns SEIA award for contributions to US solar industry

SEIA, the national trade association of the United States solar energy industry, made the award based on the significant impact of the project in helping build a strong solar industry in America, and to advance the goal of achieving 10 GW of new annual installed capacity by 2015.

In July 2011, Schneider Electric unveiled a 1MW dual voltage solar farm spanning six acres of its manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tennessee. This is the first dual voltage solar farm in the United States with the ability to operate at both 1000VDC and 600VDC, providing an opportunity for more efficient solar farm operation and enabling Schneider Electric to further its research and testing of renewable energy.

Schneider Electric's Smyrna solar farm is the third in the state of Tennessee at 1MW and will generate approximately 1.3 million kWh of electricity annually, 25 percent of the facility's total use. The installation qualified for a 30 percent federal tax credit and the TVA Generation Partners Program, which offers a premium on all solar generated power that Schneider Electric sells back to TVA.

“Leading global manufacturing companies like Schneider Electric are finding new opportunities to grow their business with innovative solar energy products,” said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA. “Their efforts are making solar more affordable to consumers every single day and bringing the industry closer to meeting its goal to install 10 GW of solar each year by 2015.”

“This award from SEIA is gratifying recognition for Schneider Electric’s strong commitment to the solar industry and to developing and designing solutions that further the adoption and deployment of renewable energy,” said Laurent Bataille, Senior Vice President, Renewable Energies Business, Schneider Electric.”We see solar power as a key component of our overall energy management strategy.”

About Schneider Electric
As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation, and data centres/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient, the company's 110,000 plus employees achieved sales of 19.6 billion euros in 2010, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations “Make the most of their energy.”
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