SunWize Completes Two Large Scale PV Installations For Department of Veteran Affairs Hospitals

The U.S. Government is moving ahead with ambitious plans to to implement alternative energy at its own facilities. In a pilot program two VA Hospitals are already demonstrating viability of solar panels.

Dallas Medical Center

SunWize Commercial Power Systems, the commercial installation division of SunWize Technologies, Inc., completed, in the Spring of 2009, a 337-kW DC solar electric system for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at their Dallas Medical Center. The installation is the largest PV installation in Texas and the second major project completed by SunWize for the VA in their effort to utilize renewable energy and improve energy efficiency.

The Dallas VA Medical Center system is expected to save the hospital over $62,000 in annual electricity costs. It consists of 1,728 SANYO HITTM PV modules and is one of the highest efficiency PV systems available.

"I appreciate the diligent project and construction management of SunWize. Nobody has worked as hard as SunWize to address my requirements," states Rick Hart, Energy Manager at the Medical Center. "Moreover, I am glad for the careful, conservative approach to structural engineering taken. In the May 2nd 'microburst' storm that destroyed the Dallas Cowboy training facility and uprooted trees and light poles here at the hospital, our rooftop PV system stayed put." Federal agencies are under executive order to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3% per year or 30% by the end of 2015. In response, the VA developed a comprehensive department-wide energy management plan and surveyed its major facilities for their renewable energy potential. Their evaluation identified the Dallas, TX and Loma Linda, CA facilities as the top candidates for photovoltaic (PV) systems. SunWize Commercial Power Systems was awarded and successfully completed both contracts.

"We are pleased and honored to once again work with the VA in their renewable energy push. The Medical Center in Dallas is the second of what we anticipate will be many projects for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Completing the largest PV system in Texas again demonstrates SunWize has the unique ability and resources to successfully complete solar electric systems across the country." comments David Kaltsas, SunWize Executive Vice President.

Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Medical Center

SunWize Commercial Power Systems, the residential and commercial installation business unit of SunWize Technologies, Inc., completed, in the Fall of 2008, a 309-kW DC solar electric system for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Medical Center in Loma Linda, CA. The installation is the first solar electric project in a Veterans Affairs-wide push to use renewable energy and improve energy efficiency.

On January 24th, 2007, President Bush signed an executive order for Federal agencies to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3% per year or 30% by the end of 2015. In response, the VA developed a comprehensive department-wide energy management plan and surveyed its major facilities for their solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy potential. Their evaluation identified the Loma Linda, CA and Dallas, TX facilities as the top candidates for photovoltaic (PV) systems. SunWize Power Systems responded to the VA's requests for quotes and was awarded both contracts.

The Loma Linda Medical Center PV system, completed in September, is expected to save the hospital approximately $60,000 a year in electricity costs. It consists of 1,584 Sanyo 195-watt PV modules roof mounted onto SunLink racks. The system utilizes an Advanced Energy Solaron 333-kW inverter and is monitored by Fat Spaniel Technologies. It is one of the highest efficiency systems available today.

"An installation of this size presented considerable challenges due to 24/7 hospital operation," states Larry Barrett, Energy Manager at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Medical Center. "We are appreciative of the expert project and construction management of SunWize and their ability to work within the many location, timing and safety constraints. We are also impressed by the quality of the installation and the attention to detail."

"Hospitals are big users of energy, so whatever the VA can do to become a good 'green' neighbor will benefit all of us, both in the short and long terms," said Dr. James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs in a prior statement. "I'm proud of these innovative steps our people are taking and look for them to expand."

"We are pleased and honored to work with the VA and the Medical Center in Loma Linda in their effort to increase the use of renewable energy. SunWize applauds their recognition that solar electric is already a viable electric power solution" adds David Kaltsas, SunWize Executive Vice President.