Sopogy completes MicroCSP 2 MW Solar Thermal Plant for Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii
With the initialization of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, the state has become a magnet for renewable energy project development. Sopogy, Inc. has inaugurated the world’s first MicroCSP™ Solar Thermal Plant at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii. The 2 Megawatt thermal energy project which spans across 3.8 acres in the hot Kona desert utilizes 1,000 Sopogy proprietary MicroCSP™ solar panels.
Through the use of mirrors and optics and an integrated sun tracker, these panels achieve higher efficiencies than conventional solar panels. The system also uses a unique thermal energy storage buffer that allows energy to be produced during cloudy periods and to shift energy produced from the day to evening periods.
The project name: “Holaniku at Keahole Point” comes from the Hawaiian term for a location that has everything required for self-sufficiency. With the completion of Holaniku, Sopogy now has 8 solar thermal energy facilities operating around the world. Sopogy’s MicroCSP™ technologies are being used in such diverse applications including process heat, solar air conditioning, rooftop deployment and now power generation.
“MicroCSP™ is an achievement in rugged, modular and cost effective solar thermal technology,” said Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy, Inc. “The completion and demonstration of this 2 megawatt solar thermal project is an important first step in bringing the solution to the world.”
Sopogy and its local solar project development partner Keahole Solar Power have a goal to bring 30 megawatts of MicroCSP™ power to the state by 2015.
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Related categories: Solar power and photovoltaics
