Tangent to install 1.5-MW solar system for Eaton in Pennsylvania

Sep 6, 2012 - US industrial manufacturer Eaton Corp (NYSE:ETN) yesterday said it had contracted clean energy solutions provider Tangent Energy Solutions to build a 1.5-MW photovoltaic (PV) system at its facilities in Pennsylvania.

Under the agreement, Tangent Energy will install the solar system at no capital cost for Eaton, while Eaton will buy the output of the system at a fixed rate under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA).

The system will include a 1.3-MW ground-mounted installation at Eaton's building in the Vanport township and a 200-kW rooftop array at the company's facility in Coraopolis. The two arrays will together generate 1,76 million kWh a year, enough to offset 2.7 million pounds (1 million kg) of greenhouse gas emissions, Eaton estimates. The output of the Vanport array will meet some 25% of the power consumption at the facility.

Eaton will supply power inverters, electrical connections, combiner boxes and other equipment for the project which will use solar panels by Taiwanese solar cell maker Motech Industries. Tangent Energy will monitor and maintain the system through its lifetime.

Site clearing for the project has already commenced and the solar system is scheduled to be completed on November 30.

Laurel Capital and First Niagara Bank of Buffalo have extended project financing. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has provided a grant for the project.

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