Global Solar Energy Preparing to Expand Solar Array for TEP
TUCSON, Ariz., Feb 10, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Global Solar Energy (GSE) recently signed a contract with Tucson Electric Power (TEP) to add more than 1 megawatt (MW) of photovoltaic modules this year to the company's 2.4 MW solar array in eastern Arizona.
GSE has served as project manager for the entire installation, overseeing construction of a system that currently includes 22,276 photovoltaic panels near TEP's coal-fired Springerville Generating Station. The system, which is connected directly to TEP's transmission line network, is helping TEP satisfy its commitment to provide a portion of its power from renewable resources.
As with the earlier installations, Global Solar Energy and TEP have worked together to design, set specifications and integrate components for the 1-MW addition. The expansion will utilize both crystalline-silicon and thin-film cadmium-telluride photovoltaic (PV) modules.
The successful integration of these two PV technologies will reinforce Global Solar's leadership role in low-cost, ground-mounted solar electric systems.
"We're very pleased to continue our unique partnership with Tucson Electric Power in providing this additional building block of clean-energy-based generation capacity," GSE President Michael S. Gering said. "We continue to enhance our expertise in both ground-mounted and roof-mounted systems while constantly pursuing efforts to lower costs."
Global Solar Energy manufactures thin-film photovoltaic arrays for aerospace, military and commercial applications and designs, installs, commissions and services complete turnkey solar power stations. The company has a manufacturing plant in Tucson, and system engineering and design and sales offices in Tucson, Denver and the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
UniSource Energy Corp. (NYSE: UNS) of Tucson is the majority owner of Global Solar Energy. Remaining shares are held by ITN Energy Systems Inc., a privately held research and technology development company based in Denver. ITN specializes in advanced materials sciences to provide innovative solutions to space, energy, and environmental industries.
UniSource Energy's other subsidiaries include Tucson Electric Power Co., Arizona's second-largest investor-owned electric utility; and Millennium Energy Holdings Inc., parent company of Global Solar Energy and other unregulated energy businesses.
For more information about UniSource Energy, visit www.unisourceenergy.com. For more information about Global Solar, visit www.globalsolar.com.