REC Solar Awarded 6.6 Megawatts of Turnkey Solar Contracts from Veterans Affairs in California and Texas

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--REC Solar, leading solar electric provider in the United States, today announced the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded the company two contracts to design and install turnkey rooftop, ground mount and carport solar arrays for VA hospitals in California and Texas. The contracts total 6.6 megawatts and include a 4-megawatt addition at the West Los Angeles Medical Center, bringing that total system size to 9 megawatts—making it the largest installed solar energy system nationwide for the VA.

“The two landmark installations at VA hospitals in California and Texas demonstrate that going solar is good for the environment, as well as a smart business decision. We look forward to more VA projects as we work to bring solar mainstream.”

By summer 2012, VA will install solar PV systems at five VA medical centers in sunny locations, from Texas to California. VA selected the sites based on feasibility studies that determined the most ideal locations to invest in on-site renewable energy projects. VA’s goal is to increase renewable energy consumption to 15 percent of annual electricity usage by 2013. The installation of these solar PV systems will help VA meet that goal.

“With these investments in clean energy and other renewable energy projects, we are marching forward with the President’s initiative to expand innovation in the federal government and create new jobs,” said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. “The benefits of using solar power are profound, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to improving the quality of the air we breathe. This initiative is good for Veterans and good for our environment.”

At the West Los Angeles Medical Center—part of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System—most of the new solar system will be installed on carports. The entire installation will include four rooftop systems and provide carport shelter in 11 parking lots for a total of 15 separate arrays. The 2.6-megawatt installation at the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System in Temple, Texas includes a 1.7 megawatt ballasted ground mount structure sited on a reclaimed capped landfill owned by the VA and designed specifically to be suitable as a renewable energy source. The remaining 900 kilowatts will be installed on five separate rooftops. The modules for these projects are supplied by Kyocera Solar, Inc. and REC Solar US LLC, and the inverters are furnished by Advanced Energy and PV Powered.

“We are proud to work with the VA in its ambitious campaign to achieve aggressive renewable energy goals through undaunted solar adoption. REC Solar has proven to be an essential partner, meeting the VA’s rigorous standards, while using our deep expertise to help them achieve their objectives,” said Angiolo Laviziano, CEO of REC Solar. “The two landmark installations at VA hospitals in California and Texas demonstrate that going solar is good for the environment, as well as a smart business decision. We look forward to more VA projects as we work to bring solar mainstream.”

Since 2009, REC Solar has been awarded 23 megawatts in projects nationwide for the Dept of Veterans Affairs, including a 2.9-megawatt carport system for the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) completed earlier this year. REC Solar has consistently met the VA’s best value criteria for award by providing superior technical solutions that deliver the most favorable economic returns for the VA medical centers.

REC Solar was also selected based on the company’s extensive 14-year turnkey solar project experience within the photovoltaic industry. Accordingly, REC Solar drew on this experience and discussed these two projects among other case studies during the GovEnergy preconference workshop “How to Go Beyond Energy Efficiency with Solar.” The session, led by REC Solar’s Burke Kascha-Hare, director of Federal Business Development, showed how a federal agency can couple solar with energy efficiency measures to achieve agency energy reduction goals. To view the webcast, please visit http://www.recsolar.com/govenergy.

About REC Solar, Inc.

REC Solar is an industry leading solar power provider specializing in grid-tied residential and commercial installations. With a local presence in all major solar markets in the USA and thousands of kilowatts installed, REC Solar is committed to lowering the cost of solar power through efficient processes, innovative products and outstanding customer service. REC Solar has more than a dozen offices in six states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Arizona and New Jersey) serving customers in eleven states. For additional information on REC Solar visit www.recsolar.com or call 1.888.OK.SOLAR (888.657.6527).