Project Data

End-User: Tehama Tire

Installer: 1 Star Energy

Location: Red Bluff, CA

Date of install: June 2005 – Aug. 2005

Size of system in kW: 160kW

Energy produced since installation

Special Challenges Met: 100% of energy consumption powered by the sun

Project Brief

The Tehama Tire Company, located in Red Bluff CA was TurtleEnergy’s first California project and was installed by 1-Star Energy of Auburn, CA. Photovoltaic (PV) modules for this project were manufactured by General Electric (GE). Tehama Tire is a company which recycles truck tires by re-treading them. Re-treading truck tires is an energy intensive industry. The owner of Tehama Tire, Gary Gable required that 100% of his energy consumption be powered by the sun. 1-Star Energy presented TurtleEnergy with a two-phase plan to replace his electricity bill with power from the sun. This is the first phase of that plan to install a 160kw PV system designed and supplied by TurtleEnergy and installed by 1-Star Energy.

1-Star Energy president, Dave Rose provided valuable construction management and timely scheduling for the project. TurtleEnergy undertook a detailed analysis of the site. This analysis was comprised of the following steps and implementation.

Shading Analysis

Optimal System Design and Concept Planning

Industrial Design of the Components of the System

Multi-Disciplinary Coordination with Architects, Structural Engineers, Electrical Engineers, and Construction Managers

Construction commenced in June 2005 and was completed in August of 2005. TurtleEnergy provided oversight to ensure implementation of the project shop drawings. The complete project team consisted of the following:

1-Star Energy (Installation Contractor)

Steve Fallon – Fallon Engineering (Structural Engineer)

Scott Godfrey – Hightech Electric Inc. (Electrical Contractor)

Fat Spaniel’s integrated Satcon inverter direct internet-based monitoring system was implemented for the Tehama Tire project. The Fat Spaniel data acquisition system, logs the actual energy generation by the PV system. The resulting measurements are in compliance with the predicted analysis done by TurtleEnergy. The Fat Spaniel system data monitoring results are available both on a real-time and historical basis. Measurements can be viewed on daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or lifetime intervals.

For additional information on product specifications see the appropriate cut sheets listed below.

GE PV Panel GE P165

SATCON 225kw Inverter

Uni-Rac Solar Mount (mounting hardware)

Fat Spaniel (remote monitoring system)

SMA Sunny 6000 Inverters