Categorized | News

Sopogy system to power up Florida college

MEDIA RELEASE

Honolulu-based Sopogy, Inc., manufacturer of the proprietary micro-scaled concentrating solar power (MicroCSP) system, is demonstrating its SopoNovaâ„¢ solar panels at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. The project developed by STG International (previously known as Solar Turbine Group) is designed to be a model for cost effective, stand alone solar power solutions for health clinics in Africa.

The MicroCSP system generates thermal energy by reflecting the sun’s energy from mirrors into a receiver tube, heating a transfer fluid to create steam. The steam spins a turbine which drives a generator and produces electricity. The system also includes thermal energy storage that allows power to be produced during cloudy periods.

Sopogy’s solar collectors feature a proprietary frame and storm protection, keeping the system safe during weather events that could include flying debris from hurricane strength winds. All components are also enclosed in an aerodynamic, rust-resistant housing which makes Sopogy’s collectors suitable for use in climates ranging from deserts to tropical environments.

“A particularly important breakthrough has been Sopogy’s development of smaller scale parabolic trough collectors that can be built at a lower cost, using commonly available manufacturing facilities and conventional materials,” says Tal Ziv, VP of Operations at Sopogy. “Not only can our modules be produced locally, but our collectors can also be manufactured anywhere in the world.”

The system is a hybrid electricity and hot water system. It will provide three kilowatts of electricity, enough to power a multi-building health clinic that treats between 50 and 100 patients per day in Lesotho, as well as produce up to 300 liters of hot water for staff and clinician use.

Other project collaborators include Krinner Ground Screws, the Florida Green Builders Coalition and Water Oak Development Group.

“This project exemplifies the efforts of organizations committed to environmental sustainability,” said Darren T. Kimura, CEO of Sopogy and a Big Island native. “Sopogy is proud to focus on the triple bottom line using our technology to create local jobs, generating green energy, while staying focused on our business,” he adds.

Sopogy’s MicroCSP technologies are being deployed around the world including United States, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Hawaii. The unique scalability and modularity of MicroCSP make it ideal for distributed generation applications such as electricity, process heating and solar air-conditioning. Sopogy has engineering partners around the globe, which are certified to help develop and construct solar plants in their specific regions.

Sopogy specializes in MicroCSP™ solar technologies that bring the economics of large solar energy systems to the industrial, commercial and utility sectors in a smaller, robust and more cost effective package. Sopogy’s goal is to create solar solutions that improve the quality of life and simplify the solar power business.

Previously operating as the Solar Turbine Group, STG International is a non-profit organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts whose mission is to provide technical, financial and intellectual support, assistance, and training to projects and organizations focused on bringing sustainable energy technologies to communities across the developing world.

— Find out more:
Sopogy: www.sopogy.com
STG International: www.stginternational.org

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

 

Quantcast