ART - Solar Energy 2011

The document discusses the installation of a 3.2-megawatt Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System at the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System. The system, funded by $19 million in stimulus funds, will offset the overall energy usage of the VA medical center by 20 to 25 percent. The project is being carried out by Eaton Corp. in partnership with Kyocera Solar and will become the largest solar system in New Mexico. The VA selected the Albuquerque site based on feasibility studies and aims to increase renewable energy consumption to 15 percent of annual electricity usage by 2013. The solar energy will be converted from DC to AC and tied directly into the medical center's electrical distribution system. The procurement of the project was made possible by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Eaton was chosen for the project due to its wide range of energy consumption reduction solutions and its global leadership in power quality assurance. Eaton provided all the necessary photovoltaic power equipment for the project through a contracting agreement with Kyocera Solar. The company managed all electrical aspects of the project and provided coordination for the equipment, design, and installation services. The document also mentions other projects that Eaton has undertaken with government organizations, including a project for the San Antonio Military Medical Center and energy conservation at United States Postal Service facilities. The installation of solar panels in the parking lot of the VA healthcare facility in Albuquerque is also mentioned.