The Professional Data Logger

Plant monitoring, remote diagnosis, data acquisition and visualization: The Sunny WebBox is the communication center of your solar power station. It continually collects all data regarding the inverter on the system side. Thus you can always be informed of the current status of your system.

The WebBox is the right choice for ambitious PV system operators, who would like interruption free documentation of their system data. Even from remote locations, where no DSL or telephone connection is available, the PV system can display its measurement data on the Sunny Portal via the optional GSM modem.

See the Sunny WebBox in action at our client Advantage Laser Products. Click here or the image to see real time power production provided through the Sunny WebBox.

Features

• Recording of energy yields
• Continual monitoring of the PV system
• Early detection of operation failures
• Configurable data recording in CSV or XML format
• Diagnosis and plant configuration with all PCs: Windows, Linux & Mac OS
• Automatic data transfer at pre-definable time intervals
• Data conversion and graphical display on the internet free of charge

To learn more, contact:
Tom Tomaka – tom.tomaka@empoweret.com
Clean Tech Business Director
Empower Energy Technology, LLC
http://www.empoweret.com/
Phone: 770-315-0675

Empower Energy Technology designed a rooftop solar PV system for Advantage Laser Products of Atlanta, GA employing novel solar panels from California-based Solyndra, Inc. Solyndra makes solar PV equipment which optimize performance by converting more of the sunlight hitting a commercial rooftop into electricity.

Unlike conventional PV modules, Solyndra’s cylindrical modules capture both direct and reflected sunlight from the white surface of Advantage Laser Products’ roof, turning it into clean electricity used to power Advantages’ manufacturing equipment and office lighting.

Marvin Masson, one of three ALP founders and owners, likes his company’s decision to bring solar energy online and stated, “For several years, ALP management has been researching the use of solar energy for our facility, and Empower Energy showed us how the new financial incentives and new technology have improved to the point that this makes business sense for Advantage, both in the short- and long-run.”

The project installation began on January 19, 2010. We’re very proud and excited about this project but no more than Marvin. Following is an excerpt from his company blog where he is covering the project on a day by day basis.

It Makes Environmental and Business Sense

The environmental benefits of solar power are obvious, the challenge is to operate as green as possible and still remain a viable business. I looked at solar a couple of years ago, but it was difficult to make the numbers work. The federal government was giving a 30% tax credit and the state (Georgia) had no incentive whatsoever.

Several months ago Mark Bell with Empower contacted us about solar. He got us up to date on solar power legislation and incentives. Solar (green) power was included in the economic stimulus and recovery act of 2009. Now the federal government will pay the 30% as a grant up front and the state of Georgia will give an additional 35% tax credit towards a commercial solar installation. This made all the difference. The federal grant, means we don’t have to borrow as much money. The state also has a grant, but it is limited to $2.5 million and applications flooded the GEFA office. The rebate program was closed after just one day. So we’re going the tax credit route, which creates a challenge in itself. Sometimes I think the tax aspects of a solar array are much more complex than the technical ones. After calls to two accountants, the state and Empower, we determined the array would pay for itself in about five and a half years. Not bad, after that we’ll have an array with a 25 year life expectancy with free green power.

Click here or the image to see real time power production provided through the Sunny WebBox.

Read the Advantage Laser Blog – click here.

See more photos at the Empower Energy Facebook Fan Page – click here.

To learn more, contact:
Tom Tomaka – tom.tomaka@empoweret.com
Clean Tech Business Director
Empower Energy Technology, LLC
http://www.empoweret.com/
Phone: 770-315-0675

David Fessler is an Advisory Panelist for Investment U and The Oxford Club, one of the world’s most exclusive and prestigious networks of private investors. He’s one of the leading experts on innovation, manufacturing and technology – with a particular emphasis on newly emerging technologies.

David contributed an article to Money Morning, a Global Investment News Source, titled “The Real Story Behind Solar Energy in 2010.” Excerpts are below.

It only takes one word to sum up the one real force that is driving the solar industry, both now and in the future: Innovation. It’s something that the United States has always prided itself on and that hasn’t changed.

Here’s the deal: One year from now, when many solar analysts are stuffed full of crow, the solar industry will still be introducing new products. And many solar companies will be well on their way to continued profitability in this promising sector of the alternative energy space.

At the Solar Power International 2009 show in Anaheim, Calif. back in October, solar-energy company executives offered their opinions on the state of the industry, and how they view the next few years. It’s well worth listening to these insiders, since they know more about the inner workings of the solar energy business than the analysts.

• Ron Kenedi, vice president of the Solar Energy Solutions Group at Sharp Corp. (OTC ADR: SHCAY), is very positive about 2010: “We’re seeing growth in all segments of solar, starting in the last few months,” he said. “We’ve seen growth in the residential sector and new ways for projects to be financed. Utility-scale projects are starting and even mainstream solar is starting. All segments of the solar industry are getting stronger.”
• Zhengong Shi, chairman and chief executive officer of Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE ADR: STP), is so bullish about the prospects for solar in the United States that his firm is building a new manufacturing plant here. “Last year, the Spanish market was almost half of the global market. Apart from the Spanish market, all other markets grew at 50% to 100%. That’s a positive sign,” he said. “We’re excited about the U.S. market because the new administration is positive and supports rules for renewable and solar and there is increased awareness in the general public. We see our market share continuing to gain in the U.S.”
• But Jerry Wolfe, CEO of privately held groSolar, really articulated the crux of what’s holding back solar from truly going mainstream. And it’s not necessarily about more technological advances: “The technology is in place and improving every year,” he said. “We’re finding that residential and commercial buildings are less expensive (with solar panels) than (if powered only by) a utility. People don’t understand that. Our biggest problem is that solar requires a cultural change and acceptance. That’s our biggest hurdle.”

Contact Empower today for a free Solar energy evaluation … no strings attached. Call Tom Tomaka at 404.681.3270 x303 or email at tom.tomaka@empoweret.com.

The benefits are big for you, your home, your business and the planet.

People are looking at Solar differently today. All over our planet, millions of people power their homes and businesses and heat their water with the abundant, clean, and renewable energy of the sun. People’s attitudes are changing about Solar and this is why Empower Energy brought Solar into our products and services portfolio. We are all learning about the issues related to our dependence on imported oil … carbon dioxide emissions and rising energy costs. No wonder people don’t look at a power plant on their roof with such a skewed eye any longer. Turning the roof of your home or business into a power plant is easier and more cost effective than ever. Installing a power energy system is a great investment and a powerful step to green your personal and business environment.

The Solar Estimator will estimate the size and calculate the cost to install an energy system for your home or building. The financial analysis provided is based upon energy bill savings you can expect and the net system cost, after tax credits and other incentives are applied. The results are based upon many assumptions and the limited data you will enter. An actual site assessment by a qualified Professional will be needed to determine the actual costs and benefits of installing an energy system.

Contact Empower today for a free Solar energy evaluation … no strings attached. Call Tom Tomaka at 404.681.3270 x303 or email at tom.tomaka@empoweret.com.

Interesting and sometimes amazing alternative energy information (Source: enerG magazine)

• The U.S. Interior Department has launched initiatives to speed the development of solar energy on western lands. These “Solar Energy Study Areas,” located in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, encompass 670,000 acres.
• Xcel Energy and SunPower Corp. have signed an agreement to build a 17-MW PV Solar Power plant in Colorado.
• Global clean energy investment reached $24.3 Billion in the second quarter of 2009, up 83% relative to the first quarter, according to New Energy Finance.
• The U.S. Department of Energy is offering $52.5 million for research, development, and demonstration of concentrating solar power systems that provide low-cost electrical power both day and night.
• Siemens Energy will supply 175 SWT-3.6-107 turbines to the London Array offshore wind project, which will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world, with a capacity of 630 MW.