Phillies' solar farm team
Go-green initiatives from the Philadelphia Phillies and Drexel University (what, no Eagles?) have helped jump start the Keystone Solar farm into being. And today to a “2013 Project of Distinction” honor at the PV America East 2013 trade show meeting at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
NOTE: Cross-posted from Jonathan Takiff's Gizmo Guy.
Go-green initiatives from the Philadelphia Phillies and Drexel University (what, no Eagles?) have helped jump start the Keystone Solar farm into being. And today to a "2013 Project of Distinction" honor at the PV America East 2013 trade show meeting at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Keystone Solar is the state's largest solar panel project, harvesting some 8,000 megawatt hours of sun juice per year. At the PV (Photovoltaic) show today, this Lancaster County install was cited as a "tribute to innovative energy marketing and exemplary project development." The former reflects on Keystone Solar's securing of a 15 year power purchase agreement with Exelon Generation with the backing of retail energy buys by high profile entities including the Phillies and Drexel, plus Franklin & Marshall College, Juniata College, Millersville University, the Clean Air Council and others.
More interesting to a techie is the "project development" aspect of the honor – detailing how solar farm developers worked with the Lancaster County agricultural community to support farmland preservation and soil restoration.
The solar panels were installed on driven posts without concrete to avoid soil disturbance and to allow removal at the end of the 25-30 year life of the panels. And the solar farm - officially turned on in October – is maintained with cover vegetation to preserve and even improve organic soil content
Been thinking about going green youself with a rooftop or backyard solar panel install? The PV America trade show throws open its' doors to the public, exposing 100 exhibits (both manufacturers and installers) on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The show's located in the west end of the facility. Admission is free. For added incentive, a home show is likewise cooking at our convention facility.