Arizona Communities Going Solar with Help by TUV Rheinland PTL
Town of Chino Valley Plans to Recognize Solar Panel Donation at Nov. 9 Town Hall Meeting
TEMPE, AZ and BOSTON, MA /October 13, 2010 - The Town of Chino Valley in Arizona plans to make a green, renewable example to its community, thanks to TUV Rheinland PTL, LLC, North America's largest solar and photovoltaic testing company. TUV Rheinland PTL has donated more than 50 solar panels for installation at the Town's water reclamation facility, located just 500 feet from Yavapai College Agribusiness Center.
TUV Rheinland PTL has been donating solar modules to individuals and organizations for 12 years. These modules no longer have commercial value after having completed a cycle of qualification and engineering testing at TUV Rheinland PTL's photovoltaic testing laboratory in Tempe, Arizona. Per an agreement with the manufacturers, TUV Rheinland PTL recycles the tested panels for educational or nonprofit purposes, primarily to expand awareness and share the benefits of renewable energy.
Numerous groups and organizations in Arizona have benefitted from TUV Rheinland PTL's community outreach and solar panel donation program. In one example, the company donated modules to Yavapai College in Prescott, Az. to build Habitat for Humanity's first home with net-zero energy performance. The project received the 2008 Recognition Award by the U.S. Green Building Council and was labeled a "High Performance Builder" in the U.S. Department of Energy's Builder's Challenge.
Other recipients of TUV Rheinland PTL's donations include the Arizona Department of Commerce for remote tribal homes on the Navajo Nation, Prescott Valley Police Department, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Town of Prescott Valley, Mesa Community College, and Northern Arizona University. Numerous institutions, such as Mesa Public Schools, use the donated solar panels to help the local community or classrooms learn more about solar energy in action.
The Town of Chino Valley's water reclamation facility uses microfiltration processes and tertiary treatment to produce class A+ effluent for replenishing the groundwater aquifer. With solar panel installations, the Town plans to expand its promotion of clean and renewable energy. On-site tours and ongoing reports will provide an ongoing example of renewable energy to local citizens.
As part of the donation, TUV Rheinland PTL will work with Arizona State University (ASU) faculty to offer a clean and renewable solar project as part of a design, installation and integration project for two or more of ASU's semester classes. The learning experience gained by the students in this and other projects will become a part of ASU's ongoing course curriculum as well as several departments' programs.
The Town of Chino Valley plans to recognize TUV Rheinland PTL's donation through a proclamation at the Nov. 9 Town Hall meeting.
Around 70% of all solar module manufacturers have their products tested at TUV Rheinland to obtain national and international market licenses. TUV Rheinland operates test laboratories for solar modules and systems in six locations worldwide: Cologne, Germany; Shanghai, China; Taichung, China; Yokohama, Japan; and Bangalore, India as well as a U.S. facility in Tempe, Arizona at TUV Rheinland PTL. Hundreds of experts specializing in solar technologies work at the existing test centers.
For more information, visit www.tuvptl.com or call TUV Rheinland toll-free at 1-TUV-RHEINLAND (888-743-4652).
About TUV Rheinland PTL, LLC
Based in Tempe, Ariz., TUV Rheinland PTL, LLC is a leading provider of safety and performance testing, and market certification serving every sector of the photovoltaic and solar thermal marketplace, from the supply chain through installation. TUV Rheinland PTL is a member of the TUV Rheinland Group, which has the largest network of solar energy laboratories worldwide, with six major laboratories on three continents. The lab was formed as a unique partnership between Arizona State University, an institution with more than 50 years of research on solar energy and extensive solar testing know-how, and TUV Rheinland, a $1.5 billion global provider of independent testing, assessment, and certification services. For more information, visit www.tuvptl.com.
Virginia Palmer-Skok
Shared Services Manager,
Marketing
TUV Rheinland North American Group
(203) 426-0888
