AGA Medical
Innovative Power Systems installed this 40kW solar electric system in 2 phases. The first phase of the project saw the installation of (6) 3.12kW trackers for a total capacity of 18.72kW. The system produces about 28,000kWh of electricity on average per year. The second phase, completed in late 2010, was used to install as much solar as allowed by the Minnesota net metering law, which requires that all power sold back to the utilities be bought at average retail rates. IPS installed 21.2kW in the second phase, bringing the total nameplate capacity of the system to 39.9kW. Overall, both systems produce about 55,000kWh of electricity on average per year. Producing 55,000kWh of electricity annually from coal emits about 110,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. Preventing this much carbon dioxide from being released to the atmosphere is equivalent to adding 5,500 trees to our forests. Over a 30-year span, IPS expects this system will offset 3,300,000 pounds or 1,650 tons of carbon dioxide!