July 17, 2008

Fresno, CA, USA: Fresno Yosemite International Airport Dedicates Solar System

Fresno Yosemite International Airport along with WorldWater & Solar Technologies have dedicated the largest solar airport installation to date, at 2 megawatts, in the presence of U.S. Representatives of the Office of the Governor and Fresno Mayor Alan Autry.

“The solar system will provide an impressive 40% of the power supply required to run the day to day needs of the airport such as lighting, air conditioning, controls and tower communications,” says Russ Widmar, Fresno Aviation Director. “Using renewable solar energy will decrease overhead costs and improve the financial performance of our operations. In addition, the solar installation has been constructed on land located near our runways that up until now was unusable. We hope that other airports will follow our lead by turning to solar power."

“This event is a milestone marking the increased popularity of solar as a viable source of alternative energy, particularly now as the cost for fuel and electricity continues to rise to unprecedented levels,” says Frank Smith, CEO, WorldWater & Solar Technologies. “We provided Fresno with a 2-megawatt, ground-mounted solar system spanning 9.5 acres, or the equivalent of seven football fields. The project is expected to save the airport about $13 million dollars over the next 20 years.”

Partners in this project include Sharp Solar, which supplied the panels for the project, Xantrex Technology Inc., which provided the inverters, and Solar Power Partners of Mill Valley, CA which will operate and manage the system and will oversee the sale of the solar generated power to the airport through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement, or PPA.

The PPA financing structure has enabled the airport to embrace solar energy without any capital expense. In addition, PG&E, the local electric utility will manage the net-metering connection with the grid. PG&E is also the administrator of the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) incentive program.

“As a world leader in solar electricity, Sharp has helped many forward-thinking organizations reduce their environmental footprint and achieve sustainability,” added Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp’s Solar Energy Solutions Group. “We’re pleased to support Fresno Airport’s pioneering solar project.”

"Solar Power Partners applauds the City of Fresno and the Fresno International Airport for their leadership in the adoption of solar energy. The success of the Fresno Airport project sets a wonderful example for other airports and municipal entities to follow as we all strive to reduce greenhouse gases and manage energy costs,” said Alexander V. Welczeck, CEO of Solar Power Partners.

“This installation will help protect the environment with a major alternative energy resource,” said Al Galvez, PG&E Manager of Fresno Government and Community Relations. “We also believe that this will help build momentum at the national level for sound renewable energy policies that will surely be discussed in the months ahead.”

Further details about: Worldwater & Solar Technologies and Sharp