Standard Solar Inc. recently celebrated the completion of a 9.8 MW solar project for the City of Gallup, N.M.

Standard Solar provided financing for the 28,896-panel, single-axis-tracker array. The solar farm is expected to generate more than 20 million kWh of power annually, providing nearly 10{0b7da518931e2dc7f5435818fa9adcc81ac764ac1dff918ce2cdfc05099e9974} of the city’s energy use and saving the city $785,000 during the project’s first eight years of operation.

The project, constructed on approximately 31 acres of city-owned land south of Interstate Highway 40, will generate enough electricity to power 2,500 homes and offset the production of 3.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually, according to Standard Solar.

“We’re excited that our unique ability to finance this project played a role in bringing it to its completion,” says Scott Wiater, president and CEO of Standard Solar. “City officials at all levels were committed to making this project a success, and it was an honor for us to be involved.”

Standard Solar financed the project and will own and operate the array. Mangan Renewables, a division of Mangan Inc., developed the project in partnership with Wiser Capital and its proprietary underwriting platform.

On July 17, Wiater, along with H.D. Boesch, chief technology officer of Mangan Renewables; Gallup’s mayor, Jackie McKinney; the city’s electric director, Richard Matzke; and the city’s manager, Maryann Ustick, participated in a ribbon-cutting event for the project.

“This array will have a huge impact on the City of Gallup and its future,” said Matzke. “When the opportunity to protect our environment and save our citizens money presented itself, we were thrilled to take advantage. We appreciate everyone involved in the project for helping us bring it to fruition.”

Standard Solar notes that the project provided 58 local jobs during the construction phase and two ongoing positions.

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) returns to Colorado for the 47th annual National Solar Conference and Summit, moving north to Boulder for this year’s event, to continue the conversation on maximizing renewable energy and to forge pathways for communities in every state to follow.

In a departure from previous conferences, this year’s event will focus on three pathways to the renewable energy transformation, plus competitive opportunities for outstanding presentation and posters on a cross-section of other relevant topics. Meet more than 140 featured presenters from community-based projects, state and local government, academia and research institutions, solar industry, non-profit organizations and local ASES chapters nationwide.

The conference will take place Aug. 5–8 on the CU Boulder campus. Learn more and register.

Duke Energy Florida today announced the location of its newest universal solar power plant, which will provide cleaner, smarter energy solutions to benefit its Florida customers.

The Columbia Solar Power Plant will be built on 580 acres in Fort White (Columbia County) Florida, off of Fry Road.

The 74.9-MW plant will consist of approximately 245,000 solar panels on the site, which will produce enough carbon-free energy to power over 20,000 average homes at peak production.

The company expects to break ground on the Columbia solar plant next year, with full operation in March 2020. The solar power plant will be owned, operated and maintained by Duke Energy Florida and developed by Core Solar, which has constructed other solar projects in Florida.

Separately, construction is underway at Duke Energy’s previously announced Hamilton Solar Power Plant, which is also 74.9 MW in size, consisting of approximately 300,000 solar panels on 565 acres.

“Together, the Hamilton and Columbia solar power plants are expected to eliminate approximately 645 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions in Florida each year upon commercial operation. That’s the equivalent of taking 63,000 passenger cars off the road,” said Catherine Stempien, Duke Energy Florida president. “These projects represent our commitment to more fuel diversity in the state and to rapidly expand renewable generation for our Florida customers’ benefit.”

Hamilton and Columbia are the first projects the company has announced as part of Duke Energy Florida’s commitment to construct or acquire 700 MW of solar generation between now and 2022.

“We applaud Duke Energy Florida for proactively working with stakeholders to embrace smart, 21st-century technologies that are good for consumers and the environment,” said Dr. Stephen A. Smith, executive director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. “Pursuit of large-scale solar, electric vehicles and battery storage are positive steps for our energy grid and the Sunshine State. We welcome Duke Energy’s willingness to work with stakeholders on data collection and any rate design changes impacting customer-owned demand side solar.”

Over the next decade, the company will also make strategic, targeted investments in additional solar power plants, battery storage technology, transportation electrification and a modernized power grid to help meet our customers’ needs for diverse, reliable energy solutions.

News item from Duke Energy

SPRING VALLEY — The Spring Valley City Council approved an ordinance amending the Spring Valley city code to include use-specific standards for solar electrical panels and wind energy systems during Monday night’s meeting.

Before approving the amendment, Alderman Ken Bogacz questioned some wording in the document in regard to the definition of a solar garden.

The building of a solar farm or a solar garden requires special use permits from the Plan Commission, but a single-family home wanting to install panels for the home does not.

Attorney James Andreoni explained, “I did not want every person who just wants one or two panels to have to go to the Plan Commission. Most home uses would meet the use guidelines and not need special permission. If the council was approached by one of the schools, for example,  we can still have some control since there are residences around the schools.”

The council also approved an agreement to retain The Power Bureau LLC as an electrical consultant for Spring Valley at $125 an hour not to exceed $3,500. Bluestem Energy Solutions and NextEra Energy have contacted the city to conduct studies in regard to the use of solar energy.

In other news:

• Mayor Walt Marini recognized Jack Cosgrove, who recently passed away. Marini said, “Jack Cosgrove and family have been in business for 100-plus years in Spring Valley. He was always willing to do what was needed to help in the community. Spring Valley will miss him.”

• Superintendent of Streets Jeff Norton told the council that the sewer relining under Route 6 was recently finished by Hoerr Construction and also spray patching was finished. Bogacz said, “The roads look really nice. Spray patching is a good way to extend the life of the roads since we have so many repairs to do. Nice job.”

• City Engineer Mike Richetta of Chamlin and Associates said that the motor fuel tax project has been approved, and road work will hopefully start in the beginning of August.

• The bid from Shearer Tree Service was approved for the removal of six ash trees.

• The council approved a $100 donation to the Walleye Club golf fundraiser. Also approved was the application by Spring Valley Historical Association to close the 100 and 200 blocks of West St. Paul Street for a car show on Saturday, Aug. 18.

• The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 in the council chambers.