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Local companies have diversified services and trained employees in new skill sets related to installing solar voltaic systems. Troy Swain is someone who has directly benefitted from this diversification. |
Peaking with Solar EnergyThe solar energy project at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colo., involves roof, ground, and carport-mounted photovoltaic systems. It is GSA’s vision to make the facility the most sustainable federal campus by 2020. A team of Colorado small businesses is installing the solar panels. The seven megawatt solar array will provide clean, renewable energy to help power federal offices for nearly 6,000 workers, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs and preventing thousands of tons of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere every year. The solar panel systems will be tied into the existing electrical distribution system of the Denver Federal Center. The arrays will generate enough power to run the equivalent of 1,050 residential homes. The 34,564 solar panels will provide more than 15 percent of the Denver Federal Center’s electrical needs, while reducing the demand for common grid-supplied electricity and saving utility costs of more than $700,000 per year. This Recovery Act project, which will be completed by the end of 2011, has allowed local companies to diversify their services and train employees in new skill sets related to installing solar voltaic systems. Troy Swain is someone who has directly benefited from this diversification. Watch his story. |
