The following development organizations are recipients of Expansion Solutions Magazine’s 2011 Awards of Excellence in the *** Solar*** industry category. These awards recognize organizations who have demonstrated exceptional progress and potential in the development of their areas -- by successfully recruiting, retaining and growing businesses. The winners below are listed in alphabetical order and are reflective of our top 5 selections.
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Austin Chamber of Commerce
Austin, TX
www.austinchamber.com
Austin not only has an excellent solar resource potential but has a municipally owned utility with an established solar program and dedicated staff to focus on increasing the deployment of solar energy technologies. Combined with a very active and vocal community that engages in the public planning process, the city of 1.7 million has made significant strides to promote solar and other clean-energy technologies.
Austin was designated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on June 20, 2007, as a Solar America City. The City of Austin has an established and longterm focus on sustainability. This is evidenced by the accomplishments of its citywide solar energy program, which has been in place since the 1980s and is operated by the municipal utility, Austin Energy.
Prior to becoming a Solar America City, Austin benefited from the following programs and policies:
• A multifaceted Austin Energy strategic plan with a solar-specific goal of 100 megawatts (MW) by 2020
• A solar rebate program providing incentives to residential and commercial customers of Austin Energy
• An award-winning Green Choice® renewable energy pricing plan
• Highly visible solar installations on city-owned facilities, including libraries, recreation centers, parking lots, and garages
• Knowledgeable city permitting staff and inspectors to facilitate the installation process
• Well-established working relationships between stakeholders, such as solar contractors, outreach organizations, and the
national solar industry.
The Austin region is home to industry-leading photovoltaic manufacturers. They also support clean energy research and development, biofuels and energy storage with their highly-educated workforce, globally respected research institutions, top-tier infrastructure and winning entrepreneurial spirit.
Austin Energy has been ranked the top green utility in the nation for its GreenChoice renewable power program for seven consecutive years by NREL. Austin is also the headquarters for The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the state's independent electric grid and manages the deregulated market for 75% of Texas. ERCOT provides clean energy companies access to one of the largest independent, deregulated electric grids in the United States.
The greater Austin area includes some of the most innovative clean energy research facilities and business support networks in the country including:
• The University of Texas Clean Energy Incubator: a clean energy start-up resource provider
• The Green Jobs Task Force: a program led by the private sector dedicated to creating green job workforce training
programs
• The Clean TX Foundation: a networking and resource group
Columbus – Lowndes County Development Link
Columbus, MS
www.cldlink.org
In September 2011, a California solar company announced plans to build a $600 million silicon factory in Columbus, MS. Calisolar, a Sunnyvale, CA based company, produces silicon castings for solar panels and other industrial purposes. Calisolar will produce 16,000 metric tons of silicon at its new factory. The silicon will be sold to customers in the solar industry around the world.
Based in Sunnyvale, California, Calisolar has manufacturing operations in both California and Ontario, Canada. The company is one of several U.S. manufacturers of solar grade silicon.
Calisolar will open a plant in Columbus that employs 951 workers whose salaries will average $45,000 a year plus benefits. The state’s assistance is in the form of a secured $59.5 million loan for the building and equipment, along with $15.75 million in grants for infrastructure and workforce training. The company will invest $600 million and Lowndes County will assist to the tune of $14.1 million. During the 16-month construction phase that begins in early 2012, peak hiring is expected to reach 1,000.
Desoto County Economic Development Office
Arcadia, FL
Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC)
Phoenix, AZ
www.gpec.org
Arizona is poised to become the nation’s solar energy capital, and Greater Phoenix is leading the charge. Anchored by such world-class solar energy companies as First Solar, Kyocera Solar and Stirling Energy Systems, Greater Phoenix is also home to the world’s first School of Sustainability at Arizona State University (ASU).
Sustainable companies in Greater Phoenix are advancing, growing and improving daily, gaining both local support and international attention. Germany-based TUV Rheinland Group recently joined forces with ASU to create TUV Rheinland PTL. This is the most comprehensive, sophisticated, state-of-the-art facility in the world for testing and certification of solar energy companies’ equipment. The new location in Tempe, Arizona is close to both ASU and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Greater Phoenix’s sustainable industry continues to garner international attention. Wind and solar energy giants Abengoa, Albiasa and Iberdrola, have identified Arizona for utility-scale renewable energy projects.
Greater Phoenix is widely recognized for the many advantages that provide small- to medium-sized enterprises with a competitive edge in clean, sustainable industry. Some of these advantages include:
• Openness to research and university partnerships
• Accessibility of industry leaders
• Vibrant, thriving base of solar energy companies already in place
• Commitment to existing and new sustainable companies
• Numerous ground-floor opportunities
Southern California Edison
Irwindale, CA
www.sce.com
Southern California Edison has used solar energy as part of its generation portfolio since the 1980s. Today, SCE buys 65 percent of all the solar power generated in the United States. Southern California Edison’s commitment to renewable energy has generated more than just power alone. It has brought in solar-related businesses, jobs and capital investment to the entire Southern California region.
"In California, we are blessed with an abundant source of renewable fuel from the sun," said Stuart Hemphill, senior vice president, Power Procurement. "We are encouraged by all of the initiatives and innovation taking place in the industry to take advantage of this plentiful source of power. Our productive partnerships with customers and developers will help assure Edison continues to lead the way in renewable power."
A plan proposed by Southern California Edison (SCE) for the largest U.S. installation of advanced solar panels on otherwise unused large commercial rooftops across Southern California was approved in 2009 by the California Public Utilities Commission. SCE is currently installing these rooftop solar panels throughout the region.
Since the project began and for the next three years, SCE will install, own and operate 250 megawatts of solar generating capacity. The utility also will conduct competitive solicitations offering long-term power contracts to independent solar power providers who will install an additional 250 megawatts, bringing to 500 megawatts the total generating capacity of the project — the largest photovoltaic program ever undertaken.
“This innovative solar rooftop project is part of Edison International’s 25-year commitment to developing cleaner renewable and alternative energy sources for our customers,” said Theodore F. Craver, Jr., Edison International chairman and CEO. “The program will create hundreds of neighborhood solar power plants, strengthen local grid reliability and produce hundreds of new green jobs to bolster Southern California’s economic recovery.”
