What is Clean Energy?

Sun Power's Current Projects?

Sun Power for New Homes - Massachusetts
Watts on Schools – Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana

Sun Power for New Homes - Massachusetts

During the deregulation process of the electric industry in Massachusetts the Legislature created a fund called the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust (MRET), to help increase the amount of renewable energy sources available in Massachusetts. Funds were collected from each ratepayer as a small percentage of their electric bill. These contributions went to the MRET. The Commonwealth then appointed the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), an independent economic development agency, to administer this fund.

The MTC recently awarded a Clustered Photovoltaics Installation Grant to CSG, the parent company of Sun Power Electric, to install Photovoltaic (PV) systems as part of the MTC’s Solar-to-Market Initiative. This initiative aims to encourage the development of PV systems as well as promote the business development of the PV industry in Massachusetts.

CSG has put together a highly experienced and qualified team to implement the new program called "Sun Power for New ENERGY STAR Homes". Working with partners such as Evergreen Solar, Sun Power is developing standardized, packaged PV kits that will be easy to install and pleasing to the home design. Two systems are now in the preliminary stages of development – a 1.3-kilowatt and a 2.6-kilowatt package.

These PV systems will then be made available to ENERGY STAR homebuilders for installation in ENERGY STAR developments currently under construction in Townsend and Wrentham, and possibly other developments. New homeowners in these developments will now be able to opt for a PV system for their home along with the energy efficiency measures already available under the ENERGY STAR Homes program.

The goal is to install a total of 38 systems over the project period, resulting in 60 to 65 kilowatts of residential PV. In addition to training and marketing support for the builders and homeowners, each system will be supplied with an innovative metering scheme developed by CSG to record energy production, communicate with the Production Tracking System proposed by the MTC and certify renewable energy credits.

CSG is also the subcontractor for two other companies who received grants under the Solar-to-Market Initiative. We will be assisting the Center for Ecological Technology (CET), located in Pittsfield MA, with the installation of 50 kilowatts of PV in the Berkshires and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with the installation of 75 kilowatts of PV on schools, homes and businesses in Cambridge, Watertown, Arlington, Lexington and Waltham as well as on the MIT campus.

Watts on Schools – Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana

Sun Power Electric’s affiliate, CSGServices, has installed 19 photovoltaic (PV) systems on public schools in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas as part of the Watts on Schools program, an initiative aimed at bringing solar power to the community. Schools were selected as they represent the key to educating not only children, but also families and entire communities about the benefits of solar energy.

American Electric Power (AEP) and three of its operating companies, Central Power and Light, Southwestern Electric Power, and West Texas Utilities, are sponsors of the Watts on Schools program. In partnership with AEP, CSGServices owns and maintains the PV and data acquisition systems for participating schools.

The 19 PV systems generate a total of 110,466 kWh and each system is capable of producing enough energy each month to power a typical Texas home. Participating schools receive the energy produced by the systems for free, lowering the schools' electric bills every month. In addition, they receive solar energy educational materials and conduct solar energy events on an annual basis.