COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN NORTHWEST CROSSING IMPLEMENTS SUN POWER SOLAR PANELS
New solar panels fulfill LEED-CS program requirements for renewable energy 30 January 2007 –
Bend, Oregon – NorthWest Crossing and Sunlight Solar Energy today announced plans for installation of SunPower solar panels on the newest commercial building in the NorthWest Crossing “Neighborhood Center” located along NW Crossing Drive. The building has been registered with the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Core and Shell Program, and the new solar system will fulfill the national program requirements for renewable energy.
“West Bend Property Company was looking to enhance the ‘green’ qualities of our newest commercial building,” said David Ford, general manager for NorthWest Crossing. “We had the available roof square footage to install a large system, so we utilized that space the best we could. Finding sustainable ways to develop is just part of our philosophy.
The all-black SunPower panels used in this project are aesthetically quite different than traditional panels, and this project marks the first Bend commercial installation of this particular panel model. The system is estimated to produce 10 KW of solar energy for the building. To date, Sunlight Solar is the only authorized distributor of the SunPower panels in Oregon.
Paul Israel, president of Sunlight Solar, said, “In addition to the aesthetics of the panels are the benefits of the non-penetrating, self-ballasted racking/mounting system on the roof. The 5 degree tilt of the panels in a self- ballasted system on a typically flat, commercial roof is rated to withstand >125 mph (hurricane force) winds. Commercial installations, on an ETO, state and federal incentive basis, are the most financially beneficial for our customers at this point in time.”
The NorthWest Crossing Sales Center building on the corner of NW Crossing and Mt Washington Drive also has a solar energy system installed on its roof.
About NorthWest Crossing: NorthWest Crossing is a mixed-use community on Bend’s west side which was selected as the 2006 Most Successful Development in Oregon by BUILDERnews magazine and was also a 2006 featured project by the Urban Land Institute. West Bend Property Company LLC, a partnership of Brooks Resources Corporation and Tennant Family Limited Partnership, is developing the community. Both companies, based in Bend, have solid histories of commitment to thoughtful, quality real estate developments in Central Oregon. Their goal of creating a livable and sustainable community at NorthWest Crossing is rooted in their understanding and respect for the true essence of Bend and the Central Oregon lifestyle. northwestcrossing.com
About Sunlight Solar Energy: Founded in 1988, Sunlight Solar Energy (SSE) is one of the leading photovoltaic design and installation corporations in the US and is an approved contractor under energy fund photovoltaic programs in five states (Oregon, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts). President and founder Paul Israel has worked in the solar industry since 1987 as well as working in Washington, DC with consumer advocate, Ralph Nader. Sunlight Solar prides itself in offering turn-key solutions for its customers, using high quality products and top-notch installation methods. The company has offices in Bend, Oregon and Milford, Connecticut. For more information, please visit sunlightsolar.com or call Stephanie at 541.306.4240.