State's largest solar project to power San Antonio development

AP via Houston Chronicle ^ | June 12, 2007 | Associated Press

[thackney]

The redevelopment of San Antonio's landmark Pearl Brewery will include Texas' largest solar energy project — an installation of panels powering office, retail and residential space, developers said.

Silver Ventures, which is redeveloping the former brewery, announced plans Monday for the $1.35 million effort to install 758 photovoltaic panels atop a former warehouse, which once stored finished beer.

The panels will be capable of generating 200 kilowatts, or about one-fourth of the power needed in the 67,000-square-foot building. The system is the equivalent of 50 solar-powered homes.

CPS Energy, a city-owned utility, is contributing $400,000 to the project. An official said it's an economically viable project that provides a chance to measure the benefits of solar power. The agreement also serves as a model for other commercial uses.

"We've had a goal of testing solar energy technology in a real-world setting," said Paula Miles, CPS Energy director of energy research and technology initiatives. "Public-private partnerships are going to become the way to get things done. And this, for us, is one of our first forays into that brave new world."

Noah Kaye, a spokesman for the Solar Energy Industries Association in Washington, D.C., said a 3- to 4-kilowatt system can power a 2,200-square-foot house that uses 10,000 kilowatt-hours a year.

He said the brewery's 200-kilowatt system "is a substantial installation for a midsized to large commercial facility."

The state's existing largest solar project is at Fort Sam Houston, which supplements its energy supply with solar panels. Developers plan to have the Pearl Brewery panels in place by the end of the year.

Bob Sohn, an adviser to Silver Ventures on the Pearl Brewery development, said the project will give visitors a chance to learn about how solar power works. The system will show the amount of energy the rooftop panels are generating, he said.

Bill Barker, executive director of the nonprofit group Solar San Antonio, said the brewery's solar project is likely to attract visitors.

"There will be visitors to the site who'll want to see the largest solar installation in the state," he said.

[P-40]

"There will be visitors to the site who'll want to see the largest solar installation in the state," he said.

I don't know if this will help the taste of their beer...but this will get them some consistent free advertising. I hope it works for them.

[mtbopfuyn]

"There will be visitors to the site who'll want to see the largest solar installation in the state," he said.

Yep, it's on their list right after snapping a polaroid of granny and the kids at the largest ball of twine.

[Holicheese]

758 photovoltaic panels , How much space would that take up?

[Cringing Negativism Network]

I propose President Bush go on national television this morning, and announce just as John F. Kennedy did when he proclaimed we would go to the moon — that construction will begin this afternoon on a 1000-mile long solar array — reaching east from San Diego, to the Gulf of Mexico.

A carbon-neutral solar array.

:)

[Calpernia]

ping

[EarthBound]

A nice network of solar-power collecting satellites could do the job, could beam power down in microwaves to receiving stations and send power out that way. Anything would be better than being dependent on murderers. Your tagline is excellent, btw.

[Red6]

Texas is going moron too!

That should be the headline. California has rolling brownouts because for years they have been suppressing the expansion of the supply in power. Texas is now following suit. Like California with their pathetic wind generators in the North that supply hardly enough power to even be worth mentioning, at an elevated cost, Texas now also is deciding to go "green".

What this really means is nuclear or coal, the only viable alternatives that can produce power in mass and low cost are not being developed as need be to keep up with demand. Do you know what happens when demand outruns supply? Ask yourself that question the next time you fill up your car. But it was very ecological and people loved it when we saved the planet and denied firms years ago the development of new refining capacity wasn't it?

It's easy to take positions that are not viable in such cases as power. Those responsible will not be directly associated with it (Example Davis in California), the damage will appear in five to ten years, present day this appeases the global warming and antinuclear agenda nut-bags. It's a victimless crime like the illegal alien situation where the political leadership in this country is failing the people. It's nothing more than passing on the buck, because eventually, like California today under Governor Schwarzenegger, the issue will need addressed. But by then the people will be paying the price of cheap political ploys.

Give it ten years and the people of Texas will pay in blood for electricity. In the meantime, celebrate the states largest solar project! Bravo, great job!/sarc

[P-40]

Give it ten years and the people of Texas will pay in blood for electricity.

Let's see...we are adding two new nuclear generators, three new coal plants, and this year about 2000 MW of wind power. The state also has its own electrical grid. In spite of everyone and their dog moving here, we'll have electricity.

[Red6]

Do you homework-

They are adding about 1/3 of what is necessary.

[Red6]

What we are seeing happen now in our state is what happened in California years ago, it’s what happened in Germany, and many other places. It does not work, and it’s nothing more than dumb-ass politics being played with energy policy. Introduce yourself with the concept of supply and demand. Demand is going up, supply is not expanding to keep up, you figure out the rest.

[avacado]

"Like California with their pathetic wind generators in the North that supply hardly enough power to even be worth mentioning, at an elevated cost, Texas now also is deciding to go "green"."

Just and FYI: Texas leads California is megawatts generated by wind farms.

[P-40]

They are adding about 1/3 of what is necessary.

According to what source?

[Pilsner]

I don't know if this will help the taste of their beer...

The Pearl Brewery shut down many years ago. Pearl Beer, like its old rival a few blocks to the south, Lone Star Beer, is just a brand name and associated distribution rightsm owned by Pabst. The actual beer is contract brewed by Miller Brewing Company in Fort Worth.

[thegreatmalcolmx]

“announced plans Monday for the $1.35 million effort”

“The system is the equivalent of 50 solar-powered”

This works out to $ 27,000 per home. Is my math correct?

Seems pretty expensive to me.

[P-40]

Well....at least they are all still made in America. :)

[thackney]

Give it ten years and the people of Texas will pay in blood for electricity.

Congratulations. You win the prize for the most hysteria because a private company decided to include Solar power as part of their development.

[RightWhale]

Public-private partnerships

Be careful about these deals. The line is kind of murky.

[ModelBreaker]

I propose President Bush go on national television this morning, and announce just as John F. Kennedy did when he proclaimed we would go to the moon — that construction will begin this afternoon on a 1000-mile long solar array — reaching east from San Diego, to the Gulf of Mexico.

That'll shake up political alliances in the US. LOL.

[manic4organic]

And they all suck.