News

California airport announces installation of solar-monitoring kiosk

June 15, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. — Fresno Yosemite International Airport today announced the installation of a MYPVDATA kiosk. Using the kiosk, airport staff and travelers, as well as those in the local community, can access a real-time view of how the 2.4 megawatt-capacity solar array at the airport is performing.

According to a news release, the kiosk is connected directly to the MYPVDATA solar monitoring, management and performance system to deliver real-time performance data of the solar system. The new kiosk will help increase public awareness and education about Fresno Yosemite Airport's commitment to improving its environmental footprint through the use of solar energy.

The airport's solar system was established using a solar power purchase agreement, or PPA, with system developer and operator Solar Power Partners Inc. The system is installed on a 20-acre site and was constructed with APS single-axis trackers that enable the modules to follow the movement of the sun. The solar-generated electricity is conveyed by underground conductors to the airport's main power supply and integrated into the airport's electrical center.

In addition to its physical location at the airport, the kiosk's user interface also can be accessed online athttp://webkiosk.mypvdata.net/c/fresno_airport/index.php. The kiosk's users will find photographs and specifications of the system, as well as real-time reports on daily, weekly, monthly and lifetime energy production, CO2-emissions reductions and the equivalent savings, in terms of trees planted or miles driven by American cars. In the last 30 days, the MYPVDATA kiosk reports that the Fresno Yosemite Airport solar panels have generated 524,948 kWh of solar energy, which is the equivalent of planting 2072 trees or driving 303,837 fewer miles.

MYPVDATA tracks energy production, solar use and savings achieved with pinpoint accuracy. As soon as a problem is detected, whether it is caused by environmental, component or lifecycle factors, SPP's operators are notified and can dispatch a maintenance crew to quickly remedy the problem, thus limiting downtime and maintaining a steady stream of energy production. The new kiosk solution located at the airport provides an easy-to-understand view of the system for the public.