Solar Source installs 19 solar energy systems for St. Petersburg’s Sunlit city parks initiative

Wednesday, Nov 28, 2012

Solar Source installed 19 solar systems for the city of St Petersburg’s Sunlit City Parks Project. Almost 950 solar panels were mounted on park facilities, including the Science + Technology Education Innovation Center (EIC) and other park recreational centers.

“These solar panels will educate the public, especially children, whose futures will be powered by solar energy significantly more than prior generations.

The U.S. Department of Energy funded the projects to encourage learning and spark student’s imagination. Solar Source acted as the installer and primary subcontractor for LEMA Construction & Developers, Inc.

“We are proud to install these systems, which are data collection points for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory,” said Rick Gilbert, Vice President of Solar Source. “These solar panels will educate the public, especially children, whose futures will be powered by solar energy significantly more than prior generations.” The City of St. Petersburg received a grant to install these experimental systems to monitor sun exposure for the Southeast region. At each of the parks, citizens can view weather and energy data generated by the solar panels through a series of information kiosks featuring animated characters.

The Sunlit Park systems range in size from one 235-watt panel at Coquina Key Park to a 234-panel array at Wildwood Park Recreational Center. Some of the unique features include thin film laminate at Gladden Park and a new form of peak shaving at Walter Fuller Recreational Center.

Source: Business Wire