OPEL International Brings Solar Power to Connecticut School
Initiates Program with Broad Application in NortheastShelton, CT and Toronto, ON, June 18, 2008
Source. OPEL International, press release
http://www.opelinc.com/invest.htm
OPEL International, a leading global developer and supplier of concentrating photovoltaic panels (CPVs), today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Town of Plainville, CT, under which OPEL will install solar power panels on the roof of Linden Street School. Under this innovative 20-year program, OPEL will own and operate the installation and sell clean electricity to the Town at rates below those currently being paid, with no capital costs incurred by the Town.
« Plainville is thrilled to be a leading town in Connecticut introducing a solar power program for its schools, » said Robert Lee, Plainville Town Manager. « Not only are we reducing our electricity costs, we’re making a meaningful contribution to environmentally responsible energy consumption. We look forward to broadening our use of this innovative program and technology. ». « This agreement is the result of a concerted effort by Plainville’s leadership to incorporate clean solar power in our jurisdiction, » said Jason Rupaka, a member of Plainville’s town council. « I look forward to bringing this program to other schools and municipal buildings in our community. »
« We’re very excited about this initial installation, which represents a very attractive way for municipalities to reduce electricity costs in an environmentally responsible manner, » said Bob Malton, Manager of Business Development for OPEL. « We believe this is a template for a potential large scale program of similar installations that present a great win-win solution for both OPEL and municipalities across Connecticut and elsewhere. »
The solar panels, which OPEL sources under an agreement with Solarfun Power Holding Co. Ltd., are listed with both UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) and California’s Energy Commission, making them eligible to participate in the solar incentive programs of various states in the US. OPEL integrates the panels with its product line of solar trackers, resulting in an increase of up to 40% in the power output of the panels when compared with fixed mounted installations. This combination results in a faster payback and lower kilowatt-hour costs.
About OPEL International
With operations headquartered in Shelton, CT and Toronto, Ontario, Canada OPEL designs, manufactures and markets innovative, state-of-the-art solar technology products designed to convert solar energy into electricity – at the least possible cost and greatest efficiency. The Company’s products are based on technology developed in cooperation with the University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT) and the Canadian National Research Centre (Ottawa, ON). A leader in gallium arsenide and solar photovoltaic technology, the Company has been awarded 23 patents and has 23 more patents pending. OPEL’s common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange OPEL International Inc.