JJR Power Creates "Power Play" to Lower Ice Arena Electricity Costs
Excelsior, MN (PRWEB) April 23, 2014 -- JJR Power has devised a plan to help ice arenas combat rising operating costs in Minnesota. Electricity prices have increased approximately 40% in the last 10 years in the “State of Hockey” and nearly half of the 235 arenas in Minnesota are now forced to replace cooling systems using Freon. One solution for ice arena savings has been introduced successfully by JJR Power (Excelsior), a solar and wind finance and development firm. JJR Power creates a bridge between capital and distributed generation projects in Minnesota and the USA.
One particular “power play” has JJR Power originating the City of Waconia solar project whereby the arena is able to directly lower its monthly expenses.
JJR Power supplied a “win-win” solution for the City of Waconia’s new Ice arena to lower operating costs with ZERO capital investment by providing investors who supplied all of the capital for a fully installed electricity generating solar array. A 39.36kW solar electric system was installed in earlier this year currently offsetting the electricity load of the City’s new Ice Arena. The system produces about 50,000 kWh of electricity on average per year. JJR Power began the project, applied for incentives and provided the investors to cover the capital costs of the solar installation. The City provides the roof space above the arena and purchases the electricity the solar array produces at approximately 80% of the purchase cost of what they were previously buying from Xcel Energy. At today’s energy costs, a 20% savings would result in approximately a $1,000 per year savings for every 40,000 kW solar system. The savings, however, can increase considerably as ice arenas and other flat buildings offer space for 3-4 times the size of the installation on the City of Waconia arena.
“It concerns us that the rising costs of energy are making it even tougher for parents of boys and girls to afford ice time. I grew up playing hockey in this state and still play today. I am also a hockey parent to a 9-year old so I know that lowering costs for ice arenas is a good thing for all boys and girls who skate in Minnesota," said Mike Woodley of JJR Power.
Along with lower operating costs, there are also environmental benefits as well for replacing coal burned electricity with solar. Producing 50,000kWh of electricity annually from solar versus coal avoids about 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. Preventing this much carbon dioxide from being released to the atmosphere is equivalent to adding 5,000 trees to our forests. Over a 30-year span, the system will offset 3,000,000 pounds or 1,500 tons of carbon dioxide. This project is not only cost-effective but also was, from inception to installation, 100% Minnesota made.
JJR Power ultimately brought Minnesota-based Adolfson and Peterson to the project, and used Innovative Power Solutions (St. Paul) for the installation and Minnesota-made tenKsolar PV modules. Manufactured in Bloomington, MN, tenKsolar PV modules have a 25-year warranty and unparalleled efficiency on flat-roof applications. The tenKsolar RAIS System, which combines PV modules, reflectors and racking assembled in a repeating wave pattern, provides the highest density energy producing system for flat roof applications, meaning more kWh per square foot of space. The system is highly flexible, allowing installs around HVAC units, so space is not wasted. JJR Power expects at least 25 - 30 years of useful life out of the system.
If you would like more information on how Ice Arenas, Community Centers, Commercial businesses, Cities or individual residences can find a winning financial solution with solar created electricity.
Contact: Mike Woodley, JJR Power, 612-386-0082, mwoodley (at) JJRPower (dot) com
Mike Woodley, JJR Power, http://www.JJRPower.com, +1 612-386-0082, [email protected]
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