English Posts Tagged ‘sustainable energy’
MGM Resorts complete’s U.S. largest rooftoop Solar project
MGM Resorts Beats Toys ‘R’ Us With Biggest Rooftop Solar System
MGM Resorts International surpassed Toys “R” Us Inc. with the largest U.S. rooftop solar installation, an 8.3-megawatt system completed this week.
With an expansion that included more than 26,000 panels covering 28 acres atop the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, MGM broke the record that the toy seller had heldsince 2011 with a 6.2 megawatt system at a distribution center in Flanders, New Jersey, according to GTM Research. That’s enough energy to power 1,000 average-sized homes for a year.
The project was a partnership between MGM and New Jersey-based NRG Energy, which financed, built and now owns and operates the array. Through a power purchase agreement (PPA), Mandalay Bay will buy the energy generated by the solar array. For MGM, the business and environmental benefits are substantial because the project will provide approximately 25 percent of Mandalay Bay’s electricity needs.
With its ongoing water struggles, the vast amounts of energy and resources going toward recreating cities such as Paris and Venice, and its bawdy reputation as a party town, sustainability is the last topic that comes to mind when thinking about Las Vegas. But Sin City is drenched in sun, and the ample roof space throughout the city offers the local hospitality sector opportunities to reduce costs via solar power and demonstrate it can be a more responsible industry. To that end, MGM Resorts International announced last week it has completed the installation of what it’s calling the world’s largest rooftop solar array on a convention center.
Covering 20 acres on the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s 1.7 million square feet of convention space, over 21,000 solar panels will provide 6.4 megawatts of clean energy to the complex. MGM says the energy generated from the rooftop array is enough to power 1,000 American homes while displacing about 6,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The array will also help lower demand on southern Nevada’s electricity grid during the hot summer days.
MGM Resorts’ Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas is home to one of the largest rooftop solar arrays in the United States – MGM Resorts International
Sources: MGM Resorts International, NRG Energy, Bloomberg.
BRAZIL BUILDS THE LARGEST SOLAR FARM IN LATIN AMERICA
Bahia to receive the largest solar farm in Latin America
Photo Illustrations-Sunedison
Located 800 kilometers from EcoPlanet Energy’s headquarters in the northeast capital of Bahia – Salvador (BA), is Mariquita, the Tabocas district of Brejo Velho, will receive the largest solar power plant ever built in Latin America, with capacity of 254 MW and estimated annual production of 500 GWh. The project was named Ituverava project and is funded by the Italian Enel Green Power company, it is expected to be in operation in 2017.
This will be the largest solar power plant in Latin America, and will help meet the constant demand for electricity in the country – which according to estimates will increase at an average rate of 4% per year by 2020.
Solar energy in Brazil: The increase in energy consumption that Brazil is facing in recent years, is not being accompanied by an increase in power generation from traditional sources present in the country, including hydroelectric, and therefore requires a diversification within their energy grid (matrix). The solution to this problem is represented by photovoltaic plants, which among all renewable energy sources are those that cause the least environmental impact, in addition to the other advantages and benefits that distributed energy generation presents. The auctions held in Brazil by ANEEL (Brazil’s Central Energy Agency) are having a major success.
Source: ABIDES (Brazilian Association for Integration and Sustainable Development)
Farm in Bahia becomes self-sufficient with solar energy
Solar energy works for rural countryside
In rural areas, many farms, cottages and small ranches are not connected to the electricity grid, making it absolutely necessary, if not vital for one to generate your own power. Even where there is availability with very limited access, the use of solar energy can represent a viable alternative with also the added benefit of generating significant energy cost reduction.
It was this decision the owner of a farm in the northern coastal district of Bahia took when he wished to operate his country property in an economically and sustainable way, with as little impact to the environment.
“Renewable Energy fit perfectly for us here, as it was a great inconvenience to be without basic eletricity and lights, when we needed to operate equipment to produce.” he said. “Also, the high costs I save with not having to use my noisy and polluting gasoline generator was another reason to believe in this alternative energy source,” he continues.
There are many possible ways to use or harness energy from the sun, but, in general, solar photovoltaic energy found in these panels are almost always used. These panels consist of cells in the form of plates that absorb energy from the sun, turning this energy into electricity. The devices used in such systems usually consist of photovoltaic panels, controllers, batteries and inverters.
The owner hired EcoPlanet Energy to install 2 solar photovoltaic panels on the the farm house roof.
Now the solar power generator produces up to 75 kWh of electricity per month – that provides all the lighting needs of the house, a small fridge, fan, TV, radio and Hi-Fi, computer and internet, mobile phone charger and small power tools.
The owner decided to have solar panels installed as part of its commitment to reducing his carbon footprint (carbon emissions), but found that in addition to making his farm energy self-sufficient, the solar system not only brought a sense of energy security, but also financial rewards with low energy costs, as well.
“I am more than satisfied, as I do not have to worry anymore about not having light at night. I already have plans to add another solar panel and battery in order to install a small water pump to irrigate my plantil“, he confirms.
For more information on this project click on the case study link.
If you have any further questions or suggestions regarding other projects developed by EcoPlanet Energy,simply contact us: +55 (71)2626.3005 ou sac@ecoplanetenergy.com.
Sailboats sailing with solar energy
EcoPlanet installs solar powered generator on boat
Generating renewable energy from solar radiation, via PV systems is becoming more and more popular. Solar light illumination is absolutely in great abundancy in Bahia, Brazil, and has become a viable and attractive alternative to generating electricity power. EcoPlanet Energy, with its integrated solutions in renewable energy, has developed several projects that disseminate this type of technology. One of its projects was to provide this alternative, clean and sustainable energy for the marine or sailing community in the region..
In addition to the customs port, local regional boats on this picturesque coast of Bahia are mainly used by enthusiastic sailors for the pleasure of sailing or used for sightseeing tours for the many tourist that visit region. Through this recent trend, more and more boat owners are looking at this simple technology to save energy and pollute less the environment.
According to EcoPlanet Energy’s technical professional team, Ailton Cena, explains how solar cell systems are installed on boats. ” ‘ISOLATED’ or better know as ‘OFF-GRID’ photovoltaic systems have solar modules whose power ranges between 80 to 245 Watts-peak, mostly related to the boat size and needs.
The energy generated by the solar panel modules is accumulated in deep cycle batteries, usually of 150 Amp-hours and the system also has a charge controller that is a device that controls the entry and output of energy to/from the batteries. The electricity stored in the battery is used to power the devices on the vessel. Any eletric device or equipment that requires more power to operate, will need to connect and obtain additional energy via the diesel engine generator.“
O consumo de energia pelos barcos é acompanhado constantemente porque sem energia, os marinheiros não podem operar seus equipamentos e instrumentos de navegação, tais como rádio e/ou GPS, muito menos os sistemas de iluminação que são imprescindíveis nas regras de navegação
Energy consumption on boats is a constantly monitored aspect in a good yachtsman or sailor of any seabound vessel, because without power, the sailors cannot operate their navigation equipment and instruments, such as radio and / or GPS, let alone lighting systems that are essential for the compliance of navigational rules and regulations of the waters.
This fact was very important for Mr. Djalma Junior; the proud owner and sailor of “Sonhador” (Dreamer), a beautiful 20 foot sailboat anchored in the ARATU region of Bahia.
He notes, “The situation was getting very uncomfortable, and critical, with the obligated need to start the diesel powered engines every time (Each weekend), I needed to recharge the boat’s batteries that power the sailboat instruments.”
That is to say, if he missed a weekend visit to his boat at the Marina, the batteries would go flat and in consequence render his equipment useless in the hour of need, as well as reduce the battery life, meaning higher maintenance costs.
“In addition not to mention the discomfort for my passengers having to smell the diesel fumes, as well the engine noise, TODAY, I get a huge savings with minimal costs for diesel fuel consumption, and at the same time I contribute to the preservation of the environment with less pollution”, quotes the sailor.
A boat powered by the sun, without the need to recharge your batteries with engines powered by fossil fuel combustion, will reduce pollution in the river beds. It will also help reduce the stress of animal & water life in the region.
“ Bringing together elements of cutting-edge technology, innovation and sustainability is the future in our present, “says the Marine manager,”This becoming a regular normal boat item fixture for many of our Marine-club members for their boats – And all thanks to nature (the sun) with which we all adore and identify well with here.“
For more information on this project click on the case study link.
If you have any further questions or suggestions regarding other projects developed by EcoPlanet Energy,simply contact us: +55 (71)2626.3005 ou sac@ecoplanetenergy.com.
Sustainable office reduces energy costs after installing photovoltaic panels
As energy prices go up every month, bills become more expensive. However, there is a solution to use the sun’s energy and install a photovoltaic renewable energy solution EcoPlanet Energy.
The owners of a commercial building understood this and knew the empty space in the roof of their building could be used to reduce their energy and maintenance costs as well as increase the value of their property. The resulting solar system installed was the first in the tourist district of Barra, Salvador, the capital of the Braazilian state of Bahia.
“The dream of energy self-sufficiency is increasingly feasible now that investment in equipment for renewable microgeneration (photovoltaic panels, inverters, batteries, …) can be paid in a few years, making any person or company energy independent !” Highlights the director of EcoPlanet Energy.
The photovoltaic solar energy microgeneration system was installed to meet some of the demand consumed by the company. The system consists of 7 solar panels with a nominal rated power generation of 1.5 kW/h and deep cycle batteries for energy storage for times when there is no sun. The monthly power generation of this system is approximately 200 kWh per month.
According to the owner: “As the office has a small installed load requirement and the eletro-devices are with highly efficient rating, the system is being used with minimum energy need from the eletric utility company. Even with an air conditioner turned on during the hottest hours of the day, is exactly when we have intense sunlight and the system power generation is maximum to cover the consumption, which is just fine for us here.
The owner still adds: “In 2014 our actions are focused on the environment and those consumers focused on choosing to have a sustainable business.”
From Left to right: photo of office / The solar panels and the inverter and system protection panel.
For more information on this type of system installed visit: Our solutions or contact our team to request a quote
