Solar Energy Initiatives, Inc. received $704,110 in grant funding to be used for a solar rooftop array on its showcase facility in South Carolina.
"Our expansion in the state of South Carolina continues with the addition of a $1.5 million solar array to be installed on our solar facility in Kingstree," stated David Fann, CEO of Solar Energy Initiatives. "With this recent grant from the federal stimulus package, we will build a system that will generate energy to run our building. This project is a great example of the public and private sector working together. The installation of this system not only makes our building self sufficient in its production of energy, but creates a positive economic impact through the engineering, procurement and contracting required for the project."
The solar panels used in this project will meet the "Made in America" mandates of the grant and the energy produced will power the facility located in Kingstree, South Carolina. The solar array represents the next phase of development of the Company's solar showcase facility.
"We are excited to see applications of renewable energy in the state of South Carolina and pleased that Solar Energy Initiatives has taken on this initiative," said Ashlie Lancaster of the Energy Office.
The grant is funded by the South Carolina Industrial Energy Projects Grant Program. The program is a partnership of the Energy Office and the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development, designed to offer funding to assist new or expanding industrial businesses that are creating jobs and providing new or additional capital investment in South Carolina. Companies must promote energy efficiency at their new or existing facility in South Carolina or for consumers who purchase products created at their facility. Announced in February, the South Carolina Solar Showcase includes over 200,000 square feet of building space. The Solar Showcase, scheduled to open this summer, will include a solar academy to train new solar technicians and a distribution center for solar products. The location will also serve as a demonstration center for all types of solar installations including solar thermal (hot water) and solar photovoltaic rooftop and ground-mount systems. Finally, the plan includes co-locating major manufacturers of solar products used in residential and commercial applications.
"South Carolina's business-friendly climate, skilled workforce and strong market access continues to attract new opportunities to our state, and today's announcement is another indication that South Carolina has laid the groundwork necessary to attract investment from innovative and emerging industries," said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce of South Carolina, during the February announcement.
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