OUC and Petra Solar Launch Landmark Solar Demonstration Project
With numerous commercial and residential projects already in place, solar power is nothing new to OUC. In Sept 2009, OUC and the clean energy company Petra Solar announced that they have teamed up to launch the first utility pole-mounted solar photovoltaic system in Florida. Ten of Petra Solar’s SunWave™ intelligent photovoltaic solar systems were installed on OUC utility poles along Curry Ford Road. Together the panels can generate up to 2 kilowatts, about enough to power a small home.
“Through projects like this, OUC continues to investigate and evaluate various alternative power sources that can help us continue to deliver reliable, affordable and clean electricity to our customers,” said Byron Knibbs, Vice President of Sustainable Services for OUC, which provides electric and water services to more than 251,000 customers. The innovative solar panel demonstration project is expected to help enhance the Smart Grid capabilities and reliability of the electric distribution grid.
Dr. Shihab Kuran, CEO and President of Petra Solar, noted that Petra Solar worked in collaboration with the University of Central Florida in developing the pole-mounted approach to clean energy generation. “We are pleased to realize the fruits of the research in this commercial endeavor, which will not only provide power to our customers but also enhance the functioning of the power grid,” Dr. Kuran said. “Our SunWave systems not only turn street light and utility poles into solar generators, they also communicate with the electric grid and can offer smart grid capabilities. The systems can improve grid reliability through real-time communications between solar generators in the field and the utility control center. In addition, our systems enhance electric distribution grid reliability through a host of capabilities such as voltage and frequency monitoring and reactive power compensation.”
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