Commodity Online
Even when it is dubbed as expensive to set up and maintain, success of some innovative solar energy projects give hope to those keen on curbing global warming and mitigation of climate change in the coming years.

Howard Griffiths, co-producer of Emmy-nominated “Criminal Minds” is using Hybrid Solar System designed by Pure Power Distribution, a California based renewable energy design, consulting and financial services firm to provide power to base camp of the hit CBS Show. “I’m very excited about the technology and utilizing the sun as a resource for power.”

The System is also used to extensively for base camps in location shoots. “I’m always excited about technology when it comes to resources–and that’s a big one. I’d love to be a sort of showcase for that kind of thing in the future.” Says Griffiths: “We want to get more green power.”

US Marine Corps
When the U.S. Marine Corps needed to upgrade outdoor lighting at Twentynine Palms, their largest base in the world, they chose Deco Lighting’s 100,000 hour life Induction fixtures. The vast 932 square mile desert base is home to the U.S. Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, located 60 miles west of Palm Springs, in San Bernardino County, California. Built in 1952, the premier base serves to maintain Joint/Coalition operational forces readiness with combined arms training for the eleven units garrisoned there, including the 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Tan Battalion, and 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion.

Deco Lighting is a leading manufacturer with the latest green technology, energy saving lighting and controls, proven in commercial, municipal, military and government installations throughout the U.S. and worldwide

Deco Lighting replaced inefficient HID floodlights, cobraheads and wall pack fixtures with latest green technology, 100,000 hour Induction luminaires to provide the U.S. military with substantial energy savings and long term maintenance cost savings. The new Deco luminaires also deliver superior illumination for operational reliability,
visibility and safety.

The new Deco Induction luminaires use approximately half the wattage of the HID fixtures and produce equivalent light levels. Based on 12¢ kWh and 12 hour daily operation, the new lighting system saves the U.S. Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms approx.$24,335 in annual utility energy costs. With 100,000 hour, 20+ year lamp life, the new Induction lighting system saves on the long term maintenance costs of four cycles of relamping the HID fixtures. Maintenance savings, using typical current cost of $75 per HID fixture for relamping parts and labor, will save an additional $6,092 annually. Deco Lighting Induction luminaires provide 100,000 hour life for substantial long term.

Big Blue Bus fleet building
When Martifer Solar USA installed the 528 solar panels topping Santa Monica’s new Big Blue Bus building in September 2009, it played a subtle role in the big story about the new 66,000 square foot maintenance facility for the popular public transportation system. Today, Martifer Solar’s part of the story continues to grow as the custom-designed photovoltaic panels reach production of more than 32,666.7 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity since their installation, while offsetting the building’s carbon emissions by more than 40,833 pounds.

This, during the rain season in Southern California. According to Martifer Solar Development Manager Wade Webb, the 95 kW (DC) system will produce even more when Southern California can string consecutive days of sunshine together. Currently, the panels are averaging approximately 240 kWh per day; during the summer months the panels will kick production up to nearly 440 kWh per day -- enough to power a 60 watt light bulb 24 hours a day for 10 months.

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“By this summer, the solar panel system should be generating a significant portion of the energy at the building,” said Webb. “In the end, we anticipate the panels may reduce the building’s energy costs by up to 15 per cent a year.”

"The City of Santa Monica has a very forward thinking sustainability policy, and we're always looking for new opportunities to be green," said Ralph Merced, transit maintenance manager for Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus. "The inclusion of solar panels on the new transit maintenance facility was a very important aspect of the overall design, as energy efficiency was high on our list of priorities."

Working with architects HOK and Morley Construction Company, Martifer Solar custom-tailored the 528 panels to fit into the design of the building, which serves as headquarters, docking station and maintenance for a fleet of 240 busses.

Merced said he and his staff were very pleased with their association with Martifer Solar throughout the construction process, especially with regards to the rebate application process. "Not all companies are this helpful, and we really appreciated their assistance with all the paperwork required for such a large scale project," he said.

“The initial investment made by Santa Monica for the green initiatives are going to pay off very quickly,” said Martifer Solar CEO, Raffi Agopian. “Santa Monica is on the forefront of using alternative energy technology with solar being the most obvious in Southern California. However, with state and federal initiatives so attractive right now, more cities and companies can implement something as simple as adding solar panels to their buildings to help meet their alternative energy goals.”

The Big Blue Bus operates a fleet of over 200 energy efficient vehicles, transporting more than 80,000 passengers a day across a nearly 52-square mile service area. Nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to a cleaner environment, the entire fleet operates on alternative fuels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), which helps cut emissions by over 80 percent. Serving Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area since 1928, the Big Blue Bus has an 86 percent on-time performance record and has won numerous national awards for its customer service, safety and efficiency. (PRLog)