System helps CIT train students for solar careers, reduce energy usage and save money
Easton, PA (October 5, 2011) ““ The Career Institute of Technology (CIT) today unveiled two solar arrays completed by Pennsylvania-based energy company Tangent Energy Solutions. The rooftop and ground mounted arrays, installed and managed by Tangent, will provide about 18% of the schools energy needs and save approximately $640,000 on energy costs over a 20-year period.
The deal with Tangent not only generates cost and energy-saving solutions for CIT, it also provides educational value. Electric Technology Program teachers are using a 4 kilowatt (kW) solar training module donated by Tangent to enhance their renewable energy training curriculum. The training system, valued at $15,000, will be assembled and disassembled by students and provide hands-on experience with solar technology for years to come.
A display mounted in the cafeteria will provide students with the ability to observe real-time changes in the facilitys energy supply; between the grid and the solar arrays, based on weather and building power needs. The 496 kW system produces 627,289 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year of solar power, which eliminates 953,611 lbs of CO2; the equivalent of removing 85 cars from the road per year.
The schools system will be fully operational the week of October 10, following the completion of the rooftop array, a perimeter fence for the ground mounts and some tree planting.
“CIT is setting a strong economic and environmental example for its students,” said Dave Turner, Chief Operating Officer of Tangent. “Schools are finding it increasingly necessary to find ways to cut costs, and solar energy usage is a financially and environmentally responsible way to do so.”
CIT students come from five districts and two private high schools in Northampton County. Most students are in 10-12th grade, although the school sometimes teaches 9th graders.
The solar project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority.
About Tangent Energy Solutions
Tangent Energy Solutions (www.tangentenergy.com) reverses the traditional utility driven approach to developing the smart grid by partnering with commercial and industrial customers to optimize the “grid behind the meter.” By providing clean energy assets and technologies at no capital cost, Tangent saves C&I energy customers 10% to 20% while increasing the amount of renewable content in their supply. Tangent actively manages on-site assets to decrease a customers reliance on grid sourced energy, especially during peak demand periods. As a result both the end-customer and the utilities benefit. Tangent is a venture-backed company founded in 2009 by a management team that has been providing commercially successful energy innovations to mainstream C&I customers for 30 years.
