Jun 23 2009
EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ: EMKR), a leading provider of compound semiconductor-based components and systems for the fiber optic and solar power markets, today announced a formal agreement with PNM of New Mexico to participate in PNM's large distributed generation (DG) solar power program. This 20-year agreement with EMCORE consists of 114 kilowatts of solar power produced onsite at EMCORE's corporate headquarters in Albuquerque, N.M.
The power is generated by EMCORE's 2nd and 3rd generation concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) systems installed next to its headquarters' facility in Albuquerque, NM. The power is fed to EMCORE's buildings through a PNM-approved REC meter. Although over one-megawatt EMCORE's CPV systems have been deployed across seven sites throughout the world, this is the first DG application.
"This is a significant milestone in advancing solar power applications for both EMCORE and PNM. The DG program allows power to be generated close to the point of use and distributed without requiring a comprehensive transmission infrastructure," said Christopher Larocca, EMCORE's Chief Operating Officer. "EMCORE's CPV systems are ideally suited for such applications because of their cost competitiveness and high energy conversion efficiency. Our industry leading 30%+ CPV modules generate highest levels of power per square meter. We look forward to pursuing additional distributed generation programs with PNM as well as other utility companies."
"We're very pleased to have EMCORE Corporation as the first participant in the PNM distributed generation solar power program," said Sue Fullen, Vice President of Marketing and Customer Service of PNM. "Our large solar program announced earlier this year is just one of the many ways we're working to provide more environmentally friendly, renewable sources of electricity into our overall energy portfolio."
A commemoration event has been scheduled for 10:00am Mountain Time, June 25, 2009 at EMCORE's Albuquerque headquarters with PNM and local government officials attending. To participate in the event, please visit the registration page on the EMCORE web site at: http://www.emcore.com/rsvp/.