Destination Clean Energy: Denver International Airport Dedicates 4.4 MW of Solar Power from Constellation Energy
More than 8 Megawatts of Solar Now Supplies 6 Percent of DIA's Total Electricity Needs
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) and Denver International Airport (DIA) today announced the completion of a 4.4-megawatt, ground-mounted solar power system. Constellation Energy built, owns and maintains the solar installation, and DIA will purchase the electricity produced by the system over a 20-year period. It is the third large-scale solar project for DIA, bringing the airport's total amount of hosted solar power to more than 8 megawatts � the most solar generation at a commercial airport in the United States.
Constellation Energy's 4.4-megawatt solar installation for Denver International Airport (DIA) will generate approximately 7,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. It is the third large-scale solar project for DIA, bringing the airport's total amount of hosted solar power to more than 8 megawatts - the most solar generation at a commercial airport in the United States. (Photo: Business Wire)
In honor of the solar project's completion, a celebration and ribbon-cutting were held today at DIA. Business and community leaders, as well as representatives from state and local government were on hand for the event, including Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.
"With the addition of this solar facility, Denver International Airport's three solar array systems now produce approximately six percent of the airport's total power requirements," said Kim Day, aviation manager for DIA.� "We support alternative energy applications at DIA because these projects are good for the environment while positively impacting our bottom line; they are financially sustainable. This airport was built with a goal of being green, and with this additional solar array, Denver International Airport now has one of the largest solar installations in North America."
The system is expected to supply approximately 7,000 megawatt-hours of electricity to DIA each year, utilizing approximately 19,000 Yingli Solar photovoltaic panels. Generating the same amount of electricity using non-renewable sources would result in the release of more than 5,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data.
"Constellation Energy congratulates DIA for its continued commitment to clean energy," said Michael D. Smith, senior vice president of green initiatives for Constellation Energy's retail business. "Thanks to the shared commitment of federal, state and local government, along with private business, more businesses are able to rely on solar power to achieve environmental goals and control electricity costs. Constellation Energy thanks the public and private partners who worked with us in bringing this newest solar installation online for DIA."
Denver-based solar development firm Oak Leaf Energy Partners originally developed the project; its third at DIA. Oak Leaf has developed 27 commercial and utility scale solar projects in Colorado, totaling over 35 megawatts of production. Quanta Services (NYSE:PWR) Intermountain Electric, which installed and manages DIA's 2 MW and 1.6 MW solar facilities, installed the 4.4 MW project. Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE) supplied the photovoltaic panels for the project.
Constellation Energy currently owns and operates approximately 95 megawatts of solar installations that have been completed or are under construction for customers throughout the United States. By structuring its solar projects as power purchase agreements, Constellation Energy requires no upfront capital from its customers and is able to provide power at a fixed cost that is less than projected market rates.
Commercial customers, universities, school systems, hospitals and government agencies interested in on-site solar installations of 1 megawatt or larger may contact Constellation Energy at sustainable-solutions@constellation.com or 1-877-427-2005.
To watch a brief video about Constellation Energy's solar power systems, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyaXDmgM55M.
About Constellation Energy
Constellation Energy (www.constellation.com) is a leading competitive supplier of power, natural gas and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the continental United States. It owns a diversified fleet of generating units, totaling approximately 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity, and is a leading advocate for clean, environmentally sustainable energy sources, such as solar power and nuclear energy. The company delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland. A FORTUNE 500 company headquartered in Baltimore, Constellation Energy had revenues of $14.3 billion in 2010.
About Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport is the world's 10th-busiest airport and the fifth-busiest airport in the United States. With 50 million passengers traveling through the airport each year, DIA is one of the busiest airline hubs in the world's largest aviation market. DIA is the primary economic engine of the state of Colorado, generating more than $22 billion for the region annually. For more information, visit www.flydenver.com.
About Oak Leaf Energy Partners
Oak Leaf Energy Partners is a full service turnkey developer of solar PV plants. The firm was started in 2006 and has been among the most active solar developers in Colorado, with over 30 MW of projects completed to date. Oak Leaf has developed and financed solar projects in Colorado (Belmar, DIA, Denver Public Schools, Colorado Convention Center), New York, New Jersey, PA and Ohio.
About Quanta Services and Intermountain Electric
Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR) is a leading specialized contracting services company, delivering infrastructure solutions for the electric power, pipeline infrastructure and telecommunication industries. The company's comprehensive services include designing, installing, repairing and maintaining network infrastructure nationwide. Intermountain Electric, Inc. (IME), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanta Services, Inc., was founded in 1946 and is the market leader in electrical construction service and solutions for commercial, industrial and renewable energy customers. With a vast array of resources, IME provides clients with a trusted avenue for all electrical construction needs. IME has constructed all three large-scale solar PV projects at Denver International Airport and over 15 Megawatts of solar PV systems across the country. For more information: www.imelect.com or www.quantaservices.com.
About Yingli Green Energy
Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE), which markets its products under the brand "Yingli Solar," is a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers. Yingli Green Energy's manufacturing covers the entire photovoltaic value chain, from the production of polysilicon through ingot casting and wafering, to solar cell production and module assembly. Currently, Yingli Green Energy maintains a balanced vertically integrated production capacity of over 1 GW per year. Two capacity expansion projects of 600 MW and 100 MW are under construction in Baoding and Hainan, respectively, which are expected to start initial production in the middle of 2011 and will increase the Company's total nameplate capacity to 1.7 GW in late 2011. In addition, Yingli Green Energy's in-house polysilicon plant, Fine Silicon, which has a designed annual production capacity of 3,000 metric tons, has successfully started commercial operation in early August 2010. Yingli Green Energy distributes its photovoltaic modules to a wide range of markets, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, South Korea, China and the United States. Headquartered in Baoding, China, Yingli Green Energy has more than 11,000 employees and more than 10 subsidiaries and branch offices worldwide. Yingli Green Energy is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: YGE). For more information, please visit http://www.yinglisolar.com.
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Constellation Energy
Kelly Biemer, 410-470-7433
kelly.biemer@constellation.com
or
DIA
Laura Coale, 303-342-2270
laura.coale@flydenver.com
Source: Constellation Energy