EcoEnergies, Inc. has completed the installation of a 10-kilowatt solar electric system for Congregation Shir Hadash, in Los Gatos, California. This is the first large PV system installed on a synagogue in the western United States. The PV system was installed on the flat roof of the administration and school building.

"We are pleased to have been selected by Congregation Shir Hadash to assist their efforts towards economic, environmentally appropriate ways of operating their facility," commented Peter Carrie, President of EcoEnergies. "We look forward to working with other congregations and religious groups to help with their efforts at being good 'environmental custodians'."

"We also conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the Congregation's energy usage and recommended they switch to a time-of-use rate to maximize the value of their solar system," added Jan Pepper of EcoEnergies, who worked closely with the Congregation on the installation. "Even though the building is used throughout the day, evening, and weekends, the credit the solar energy system produces during its daytime production exceeds the other usage."

The 10-kW system incorporates 77 Powerlight "PowerGuard" modules and a 10-kW Xantrex 3-phase inverter. The system generates solar electric power for the facility and delivers it through the building's existing circuits. When the system produces more electricity than the building requires, excess electricity is sent back to the utility grid and credited at the full retail rate, through a net metering tariff.

Located in Sunnyvale, California, EcoEnergies is a renewable energy systems company that designs, specifies and installs renewable energy power systems for its clients. EcoEnergies' staff of seasoned professionals has over 150 years of renewable energy project and technology development experience. EcoEnergies is a leader in California's marketplace for small wind power systems, and residential and commercial solar power systems.