Spotlight Solar Trees Stand Tall at Orange County, FL Convention Center
Share
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando is the latest location featuring Spotlight Solar’s distinctive solar trees. Four of Spotlight’s architectural solar structures will uniquely showcase the commitment to clean energy and sustainability shared by the convention center, the city of Orlando, and the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC—The Reliable One). Participants in the DistribuTECH conference and exhibition taking place this week will be first to see these new systems showcased at America’s second-largest conference and exhibition venue.
Spotlight Solar’s solar structures are thoughtfully engineered, aesthetically striking systems designed to complement other, less-visible clean energy investments. They catalyze conversation and awareness around solar energy and sustainability.
In the case of the Orlando project, the quartet of 22-foot-tall Spotlight trees will bring attention to OUC’s 1-megawatt solar power plant operating on the roof of the convention center, installed in 2009, while adding to the complex’s solar generation capacity. The clean energy generated by the four Lift structures will eliminate emissions of 12 tons of carbon annually and produce enough energy to power electric vehicles for 60,000 miles per year.
“More than 1.3 million people visit the Orange County Convention Center each year, and when they arrive, the Spotlight Solar structures will provide striking visual proof of our commitment to sustainability,” said Linda Ferrone, president of the OUC Board, which sponsored the installation. “OUC currently has over seven megawatts of solar in our generation portfolio and we’re in the process of building 13 additional megawatts of community solar, creating significant environmental and economic benefits,” Ferrone added. “We are deploying these architectural solar energy structures in high visibility places around the city to advocate for solar energy, and encourage people to consider their own energy choices.”
Leading local residential and commercial solar integrator Superior Solar handled the installation of the Spotlight structures.
“The Spotlight systems offer a unique and attractive approach for spreading the word about solar,” said Harry Gordon, vice president at Superior Solar. “We also appreciate the high-quality design, engineering and manufacturing that have gone into every solar tree we install.”
“Academic studies have shown that visibility is one of the most important factors accelerating the adoption of solar energy, and Spotlight installations like the one at the Orlando Convention Center get people thinking and talking about solar,” said Craig Merrigan, CEO and co-founder of Spotlight Solar. “Our partners at OUC and Superior Solar understand this, and are working with us to inspire people to consider renewables as an important part of our energy future.”
Spotlight Solar’s installation at the Orlando Convention Center is the latest project showing the diverse potential for the deployment of publicly visible solar trees. In 2015, the company installed 40 solar structures across the United States, including a system at Austin City Limits Music Festival showcasing clean energy to 450,000 event attendees. Spotlight has a number of projects in its 2016 pipeline, including installations slated for education, public transportation, sports, and utility facilities.
Spotlight Solar
