SolarTech, a collaborative industry initiative created by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, announced the formation of the Solar Center for Excellence in Silicon Valley, a technical and educational resource focused on regional economic development and cost competitive solutions. The announcement was made in conjunction with the Energy Summit 2007, the purpose of which was to examine ways to make Silicon Valley the epicenter for solar energy, energy efficiency and clean energy technology.
“The Solar Center for Excellence will be a catalyst for the solar industry in Silicon Valley to thrive and take its place next to high tech, biotech and life sciences as core economic sectors,” said Tom McCalmont, chairman of SolarTech and CEO of Campbell-based REgrid Power, a leading California solar integrator and charter member company of SolarTech.
“In order to sustain the solar industry over the long term, the cost of solar-generated power must be competitive with the cost of conventional electricity,” McCalmont added. “The Solar Center will be a driving force for lowering costs and increasing photovoltaic, or PV, use in California. It will also provide access to training and certification for prospective and industry professionals.”
The center will focus on resolving the complex technological, administrative and financing challenges inherent in the delivery of PV systems — installation and performance standards, utility interconnections, rebate processing, building permits, education and workforce training, and financing.
Plans call for a physical home for the Solar Center for Excellence in the months ahead.
About SolarTech
SolarTech is a collaborative effort founded by members of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group to create a Solar Center of Excellence in Silicon Valley. Its purpose is to identify, prioritize, and resolve technical and adoption barriers to solar technology by addressing issues of performance, processes, standards, and workforce readiness. SolarTech’s charter members include: REgrid Power, Horizon Energy Systems, Miasole, Silicon Valley Power, SunPower, NOVA Workforce Board, and PG&E, as well as Sharp Solar, SolFocus, SV Solar, Generating Assets, Tyco Electronics, and the Silicon Valley-based colleges.
About the Silicon Valley Leadership Group
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group, founded in 1978 by David Packard of Hewlett-Packard, represents 210 of Silicon Valley’s most respected employers on issues, programs and campaigns that affect the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley, including energy, transportation, education, housing, health care, tax policies, economic vitality and the environment. http://www.svlg.net
About the Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency (PIEE)
PIEE is a research Institute, founded in October 2006 at Stanford University, and funded by a generous gift from Stanford Alumnus Jay Precourt. PIEE conducts research designed to improve opportunities for and implementation of energy efficient technologies, systems, and practices, including research into policies to support such improvements in energy efficiency. http://piee.stanford.edu
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