buyCASTINGS.com, Inc. Goes Solar

Category: General

March 2011 buyCASTINGS.com, Inc. will commission a 72kW Solar PV Array on its Miamisburg Headquarters Roof
In July 2010 Solar Power and Light LLC (SP&L) became the latest spin-off from buyCASTINGS.com, INC. One may ask what kind of partnership would buyCASTINGS.com have with solar power? buyCASTINGS.com saw opportunities to lower cost in alternative energy technologies and to bring the cost savings to the foundries. Foundries are one of the largest consumers using electric power. Metal melting is a very energy intensive manufacturing process. Ohio still has more foundries than any state in the country. With SP&L we can now bring cleaner power directly to the foundries. The power would be sold at a 10-15% discount to the current utility rates that foundries pay to their local utility company. Foundries would still have the grid power (no change there); the only change would be that foundries would be able to use the solar power for their electrical needs first, the balance would come from the grid.

The solar power production peaks at mid-day. Typically foundries may experience their peak power demand during the first shift. Therefore, solar may help reduce the peak demand. This is significant since the utilities billing rate is based on the peak demand. Finally, solar can benefit foundries and other manufacturers to have power at their own premises which they control, ie: in case of an emergency or power outage, or storms, or whatever emergency, the solar panels can provide back-up power to keep critical business functions running.

Solar panels can be installed on roof tops or as a ground mount system. Solar power can also be installed as a carport structure over existing parking lots. Costs range from $5/watt to $7/watt. SP&L can help reduce the cost by doing the project as an installer, as a project manager, or as a power purchase entity, ie: the foundries pay for the power they purchase with no capital costs upfront through SP&L's Power Purchase Agreement.

Contact Neil Chaudhry, CEO SP&L to learn how SP&L can help your business go green AND save money, AND help the environment, AND help the United States become energy independent.