Oregon, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] PV Powered’s residential solar photovoltaic inverters have been selected for use in a large residential project in Monterey, California. The project is being managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey. It will use stimulus funds appropriated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to install solar systems on up to 600 multi-family homes.
The initial phase of the project includes installing units at four different housing complexes. Emard Electric has been selected to install the solar electronics and in turn, Emard selected solar inverters from PV Powered.
“This was a competitive bid process and Emard was the lowest, most responsive bidder. We look forward to working with them and to providing “green” options to our clients and the community,” said Starla Warren, Director of Development, Housing Authority County of Monterey. “It was key for us to select system components that comply with the Buy American Act,” said Abe Emard of Emard Electric.
Emard designed the systems to meet the power production targets specified by the California Solar Initiative (CSI). And although performance monitoring is not required by HUD, Emard is developing a custom performance monitoring system using DECK Monitoring technology so that real-time display of power output can be available at the HUD office.
Emard is also setting up virtual metering over the Internet with Pacific Gas and Electric to enable the establishment of feed-in tariff (FIT) arrangements with the electric company. FITs typically offer long-term (15-25 year) contracts for a guaranteed purchase of electricity generated by renewable energy sources.
