The Department of Environmental Protection this week dedicated a 4.8-kilowatt solar power system on the roof of DEP’s Southeast Regional Office Building in Norristown that will conserve electricity and provide emergency power to critical systems that protect public health and safety.

Funding for the solar system was provided by BP Products North America in partnership with DEP and the Sustainable Development Fund which provided technical advice.

Chester County-based Mesa Environmental Sciences Inc. was the project team leader and was selected by BP to design, install and maintain the system.

“This solar system showcases how the use of alternative energy, combined with the advanced energy efficiency and conservation technologies in use at the Southeast Regional Office, can conserve electricity and meet Gov. Rendell’s aggressive goals for production of clean energy,” DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty said. “Solar power is an important piece of the Governor’s strategy to dramatically reduce energy costs for homes and businesses, create new jobs and strengthen our economy by increasing the production and use of renewable energy.”

The new solar PV system consists of 30 160-watt poly-crystalline solar photovoltaic modules manufactured by BP Solar, a sister company of BP Products.

The system will feed 4.8 kW of solar power to supply a portion of the building’s power needs and charge eight emergency backup batteries to provide at least 24 hours of backup power to critical infrastructure in the event of a blackout.

The panels will generate approximately 5,343 kWh per year or 160,291 kWh over the expected 30-year life of the modules. By using solar power instead of buying electricity from traditional power plants, the commonwealth will eliminate the emission of 7,804 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

The DEP Southeast Regional Office building was designed to meet the rigorous “green building” standards of the U.S. Green Building Council. The building received the Gold Level of the internationally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

Green buildings use less water and electricity than other buildings and utilize environmentally friendly and recycled construction materials; they promote technology that can preserve resources and save money; and they offer tremendous health benefits.

2/16/2007