News Article
OPEL Solar Receives 2010 Innovation Award
The company was honored by Connecticut's Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce for its solar HCPV technology and solar tracker systems.
The Shelton, Connecticut-based company was recognized for ongoing contributions to solar energy expansion with its patented, advanced solar HCPV technology and unique solar tracker systems.
OPEL Solar recently announced that it has reached agreement to begin construction of a 446 kilowatt (kW) solar power plant at the 70-acre headquarters of Toray Plastics America ("TPA") in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. This new utility field represents Toray's first solar installation in the U.S. and will be one of the largest utility grade solar plants in Rhode Island. The Chamber of Commerce also cited OPEL Solar's 33 patents and 17 additional patents pending as evidence of the company's exceptional track record of innovation.
"We are proud to be recognized for our breakthrough innovations supporting solar power usage, particularly in the New England area," said Leon M. Pierhal, CEO of OPEL Solar. "OPEL's concentrating solar photovoltaic modules can be used for the generation of electricity in utility scale solar power plants, as well as commercial and industrial building applications. All these applications contribute significantly to economic growth and job creation in the region."
In remarks made at the Award ceremony, Patrick Charmel, the Chairman of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce told the audience that OPEL Solar's products are making solar power generation a viable and non-polluting energy alternative and are based on technology designed and developed by OPEL Solar's outstanding and innovative engineering team, in cooperation with the University of Connecticut and Canada's National Research Council.
The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce introduced the Innovation Award three years ago in recognition of the central role that innovation plays in the region's economic prosperity. The award presentation was held at The Oronoque Country Club in Stratford, Connecticut. The awards were selected by the members of The Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, representing the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton. Presenting sponsors for the event were Connecticut Light & Power, and Yankee Gas Services Company.
With OPEL Solar, operations headquartered in Shelton, CT and the headquarters office in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, OPEL designs, manufactures and markets high performance concentrating photovoltaic ("HCPV") panels to transform solar energy into electricity for worldwide application. OPEL's high performance photovoltaic concentrating panels generate up to 40% more kilowatt-hours than conventional flat plate silicon solar panels, resulting in more cost effective electricity generated from the sun. OPEL also markets a complete line of dual and single axis solar trackers to mount solar panels for the optimum power output. OPEL designs infrared sensor type products for military, consumer, industrial and commercial applications.
A leader in gallium arsenide and solar concentrating photovoltaic technology, the Company has been awarded 33 patents and has 17 more patents pending.
