Delaware Governor Cuts Ribbon on $500K Solar Project for Poultry Industry
Study Partners include Allen Family Foods, University of Delaware and GE Energy
source: Worldwater.com /press release /april 5, 2007
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LAUREL, Del.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In a ribbon-cutting ceremony held here yesterday, Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner joined a host of dignitaries to officially open a milestone solar electric study at a poultry growout house owned by Allen Family Foods, Inc. World Water & Power Corp., developer of proprietary high-power solar systems designed and engineered the $500,000 photovoltaic installation for Allen.
The project is a solar study for the U.S. poultry industry and a partnership between Allen Family Foods, WorldWater & Power Corp., GE Energy, the University of Delaware, the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
The new system supplies all essential electricity for lighting, heat and ventilation used to raise day-old chickens to maturity, and will significantly reduce Allen’s electricity costs. While the innovative system is connected to the grid to earn net metering credits, it also incorporates WorldWater’s sophisticated load management technology. Solar electricity stored in batteries can be tapped if the grid fails, or used during periods when utility rates are most expensive. In the event there is no solar, battery or grid power, the system automatically triggers backup diesel generation of electricity.
Because the cost of grid electricity has risen so high over the past few years, the poultry industry is looking at solar power as a cost effective, sustainable energy source for growout contractors throughout the U.S.
Assisting at the ribbon cutting were U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper; Jim Rand, leader of research and development for GE Energy; David Weir, director of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute; John Hughes, secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources; Charles C. Allen III of Allen Family Foods; Chris Sherring, Vice President of WorldWater & Power Corp.; Robin Morgan, Dean of UD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; Michael Scuse, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Agriculture; Michael Bowman, Chairman and President of Delaware Technology Park; Frank Smith, C.O.O. of WorldWater & Power Corp.; Ray Angelini, President & CEO of Ray Angelini, Inc. and Elizabeth and Harry King, who operate the farm where the house is located.
An open house for poultry growers and farmers was held after the ceremony to acquaint them with the technology and economics of solar-electric for agriculture. The poultry industry is one of the largest employers in Delaware. Some counties have the highest concentration of growout houses in the U.S.
The Delaware Green Energy Program granted $250,000 to help fund the system, the University of Delaware will monitor the project and GE Energy, the PV panel supplier, will contribute to the project evaluation study. Ray Angelini, Inc. of Sewell, New Jersey is WorldWater’s installation partner.
Allen Family Foods, a third-generation family owned company, has been in the poultry business since 1919. Today it employs over 3,000 people in Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina. Along with breeding and hatching facilities, feed mills and processing plants, Allen has a farming division that produces feed grains, 28 company-owned growout farms and coordinates with 550 independent contractors that raise chicks for Allen.
GE Energy is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry, including renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas. It is an industry leader in the integrated design of solar electric systems.
About WorldWater & Power Corp.:
WorldWater & Power Corp. (OTC BB: WWAT.OB) is a leader in solar electric engineering, water management solutions, solar energy installations and products. Its solar technology is at work in over 20 countries around the world. In the US, it provides solar electric, water pumping and purification technology to water utilities, agribusiness, industry, schools, communities, homeowners and emergency responders. The company is responsible for major breakthroughs in solar power technology and holds numerous solar-related patents. For more information visit www.worldwater.com.