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Advantage Laser Installs 20.1 kW Solyndra Solar Array

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 Mason, 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 wrote about 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.

Click for real time solar energy production dashboard

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. ~ Marvin Mason

Read the Advantage Laser Blog on the project – click here.