Warm Springs Media Center - 11 kW
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2010
Contact: Stephanie Manzo, Public Relations & Marketing Director
E: [email protected] / T: (541) 914-9055
Warm Springs Radio KWSO 91.9 FM broadcasting with a boost from the sun
(Bend, OR) Sunlight Solar Energy recently completed installation of an 11-kW solar electric system at the Warm Springs Media Center for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Sunlight Solar Energy was selected to install the system through a competitive bid process that began in March 2010 and the system was commissioned by Pacific Power on Friday, November 17, 2010.
The Media Center houses the Spilyay Tymoo newspaper and the Warm Springs Radio station, KWSO 91.9 FM. KWSO is a non-profit community radio station operated by the Confederated Tribes. The radio station broadcasts music, cultural programming and news to individuals within the Warm Springs Reservation and nearby surrounding areas.
The 11-kW solar electric system consists of (48) SunPower 230-watt solar electric panels and (1) Fronius 11-kW inverter, and it is estimated to save a little over 14,000 kWh per year, the equivalent of powering an average home in the U.S. for an entire year.
Jim Manion, General Manager of Warm Springs Power and Water Enterprises, said, “This project demonstrates the commitment recently taken by tribal leaders to initiate energy conservation and use of the renewable energy sources we have available to us. This type of project saves money and utilizes natural resources to help provide us the energy we need.”
The Confederated Tribes received a cash incentive of $13,800 through the Energy Trust of Oregon for the commercial solar electric installation to reduce the out-of-pocket project cost. Project funding was provided through a $55,000 Recovery Act – Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, and a $7,000 grant from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program.
About the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon and Warm Springs Radio (www.kwso.org): The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is a federally recognized Indian Tribe located 104 miles south of Portland and 60 miles north of Bend, just off Highway 26. The Reservation consists of 640,000 acres and is home to three (3) tribes, the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Piaute Tribes. KWSO is an affiliate of Native Voice One, Public Radio International, and National Public Radio.
About Sunlight Solar Energy, Inc (sunlightsolar.com): Sunlight Solar provides system design and turn-key installation of grid-tied solar electric, solar domestic hot water, radiant floor, and pool heating systems for homes and businesses throughout Oregon, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Sunlight Solar is a Licensed Electrical Contractor in the state of Oregon and has (1) NABCEP Certified PV Installers on staff.