In July 2011, Schneider Electric unveiled a 1-MW dual-voltage solar farm spanning six acres of its manufacturing plant in Tennessee. According to the company, it is the first dual-voltage solar farm in the United States with the ability to operate at both 1,000 VDC and 600 VDC. The company says this dual-voltage approach offers “an opportunity for more efficient solar farm operation”, while also enabling it to further its research and testing of renewable energy.
In recognition of this milestone in solar PV research, SEIA, the national trade association of the United States solar energy industry, awarded Schneider Electric its Solar Champion Award based on the significant impact of the project in helping build a strong solar industry in America.
“Leading global manufacturing companies like Schneider Electric are finding new opportunities to grow their business with innovative solar energy products,” said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA. “Their efforts are making solar more affordable to consumers every single day and bringing the industry closer to meeting its goal to install 10 GW of solar each year by 2015.”
“This award from SEIA is gratifying recognition for Schneider Electric’s strong commitment to the solar industry and to developing and designing solutions that further the adoption and deployment of renewable energy,” said Laurent Bataille, Senior Vice President, Renewable Energies Business, Schneider Electric.
Schneider Electric's Smyrna solar farm is the third in the state of Tennessee at 1 MW and will generate approximately 1.3 million kWh of electricity annually, 25 percent of the facility's total use. The installation qualified for a 30 percent federal tax credit and the TVA Generation Partners Program, which offers a premium on all solar generated power that Schneider Electric sells back to TVA.
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