Tampa Electric Co. has launched a pilot project to evaluate smart solar energy systems mounted on utility and streetlight poles. The project is in collaboration with Petra Solar, a South Plainfield, N.J.-based cleantech company whose SunWave solar photovoltaic systems are designed to both generate solar power and enhance smart grid capabilities and electric grid reliability.
Petra Solar's SunWave systems are now installed on poles in a test facility at Tampa Electric, an investor-owned utility based in Tampa. In order to evaluate the Petra Solar system, Tampa Electric installed the SunWave solar systems in its utility test yard. The panels, which weigh 55 to 65 pounds, were mounted to wood and concrete utility poles and aluminum streetlight poles. Tampa Electric apprentice linemen installed the solar panels.
SOURCE: Tampa Electric Co.
