Date: 29 September 2008
Designed especially for the Academy by Open Energy and manufactured by Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), one of the world's leading manufacturers of photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, the project features 720 4 x 6 foot glass panels embedded with photovoltaic cells. The panels will be arranged in a solar canopy around the Academy’s 197,000 square foot roof and will be one of the largest photovoltaic glass canopies in the United States The solar installation will be a key factor in the Academy’s attempt to achieve LEED Platinum certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) from the U. S. Green Building Council. The museum was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, and is scheduled to open on September 27, 2008.
"The California Academy of Sciences will be one of the greenest museums ever constructed, and our goal is to achieve LEED Platinum certification," said Ari Harding, the Building Management Systems specialist at the Academy. "The Open Energy solar panels are important in helping us reach that goal, since energy efficiency is one of the criteria on which the building will be judged."
The solar energy panels will complement the design of the Academy, forming a decorative rim around the building’s 197,000 square foot living roof, which is home to 1.7 million native plants. The Starphire® Ultra Clear Glass for the project was provided by PPG Industries. The solar cells will generate 213,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year, providing up to 10 percent of the Academy’s electricity need and preventing the release of 405,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions into the air. The system is already in the operational phase and has provided approximately 850 kilowatt-hours of energy per day for the last month.
David Field, President of Open Energy, added, “We are proud that innovative designers, architects, builders and institutions such as the California Academy of Sciences have selected Open Energy as their photovoltaic solution provider. We believe that Renzo Piano’s inspiring architecture and commitment to environmentally superior design is a testament to not only the energy efficiency of our systems, but our ability to tailor a solar energy solution to meet each customer’s unique structural, aesthetic and performance requirements.”
The Open Energy solar solution for the California Academy of Sciences was installed by PermaSteelisa, the company’s glass façade partner.
About Open Energy
Open Energy is a renewable energy company focused on development and commercialization of a portfolio of solar technologies capable of delivering power and related commodities on a global basis. Open Energy offers award-winning, building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) roofing systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Marketed under the trade name SolarSave®, the product line includes PV tiles, roofing membranes, and custom architectural glass panels, as well as integrated inverters and web-based monitoring systems. The Company’s mission is to harness the power of the sun to deliver complete renewable energy solutions to its customers. For more information on Open Energy, please visit www.openenergycorp.com.
About Suntech
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. is a world leading solar energy company as measured by both production output and capacity of solar cells and modules. Suntech is passionate about improving the environment we live in and dedicated to developing advanced solar solutions that enable sustainable development. Suntech designs, develops, manufactures, and markets a variety of high quality, cost effective and environmentally friendly solar products for electric power applications in the residential, commercial, industrial, and public utility sectors. Suntech offers one of the broadest ranges of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products under the MSK brand. Suntech has sales offices worldwide and is a market share leader in key global solar markets. For more information, please visit http://www.suntech-power.com.
About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 150 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. PPG’s sales in 2007 were $11.2 billion. SigmaKalon, a worldwide coatings producer based in Uithoorn, Netherlands, that PPG acquired Jan. 2, 2008, had 2007 sales of $2.9 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.
About the New California Academy of Sciences
The new California Academy of Sciences will house the Kimball Natural History Museum, Steinhart Aquarium and Morrison Planetarium, along with a scientific research program and over 20 million scientific specimens. The new museum will open to the public on September 27, 2008. This major new initiative builds on the Academy’s distinguished 155-year history and deepens its commitment to advancing scientific literacy, engaging the public, and documenting and conserving Earth’s natural resources.
Add new comment