Orion embraces solar power

Manitowoc company puts PV panels on roof to capture sun's energy

By: Chalie Mathews, Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Maybe, in 2011, Orion Energy Systems somehow will create a waterfall for production of hydroelectricity.

After all, the Manitowoc-based power technology enterprise is currently completing installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels from California-based Solyndra, Inc., its "strategic partner."

And later this year, Orion plans to put a wind turbine on property flanking its Technology Center on Woodland Drive.

"It's always about the money," said Mike Potts, Orion's executive vice president. "Putting together the various technologies can change the energy paradigm for the United States."

Potts was addressing Orion's commitment to help its customers "achieve energy savings without compromise."

Orion has deployed energy management systems in more than 5,000 facilities across North America, including 120 of the Fortune 500 companies.

Solyndra's cylindrical PV system on the roof of Orion's 265,000-square-foot manufacturing plant (formerly the Mirro cookware distribution center) is just another live demonstration project in the Lakeshore area company's marketing arsenal.

Of course, the plant features Orion's own InteLite wireless control system for its specially designed fluorescent lights and ballasts designed to produce twice the light at half the energy cost.

The Orion roof already is dotted with dozens of Apollo solar light pipes manufactured in the plant below.

Potts explained the Solyndra PV system has a collection capability of 250 kilowatts.

 "With the sun at full brightness like today, we would have enough capacity, with our light pipes and the PV to run our facility," Potts said last week.

An Orion news release said Orion's and Solyndra's technologies complement each other.

Because the California-based company's cylindrical PV panels lie flat, they don't block sunlight valuable to Orion's light pipes, which harvest the daylight and direct it to a facility floor using no electricity.

Solyndra's Web site states its panel modules "capture sunlight across a 360-degree photovoltaic surface capable of converting direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight into electricity."

The relationship between Solyndra and Orion dates to a March 2009 White House energy meeting where
Orion's CEO Neal Verfuerth met Solyndra's CEO Chris Gronet.

On its Web site, Orion states there are numerous technical and financial issues to consider prior to implementing a solar energy system.

"It is vital to review the excess capacity of the existing structure, live loads, rooftop condition and
materials and wind lift-up potential. Ensuring the project electrical design meets all permits and
interconnection requirements is important," it states.

Orion officials urge prospective customers to explore state, utility and federal financial and tax
incentives associated with production of energy from the sun.

For example, in Wisconsin legislation recently passed both the Assembly and Senate, awaiting Gov. Jim Doyle's signature, expanded the technologies defined as "renewable" with power generated helping to possibly fulfill renewable energy portfolio mandates, including Orion light pipes.

Despite Orion product installation in thousands of facilities, Potts said company officials recognize sales will always take hard work, with significant educational challenges.

"We are up for that challenge," Potts said, "The approach we take — and have for a long time — is to develop technologies we know work and will save the customers’ money. There will always be an
economic analysis."

Potts said it is a competitive economic advantage that both Solyndras's PV panels and Orion's light pipes function during the day when there is the greatest demand for energy off the grid, produced in Wisconsin primarily by nuclear and coal plants, and when it is the most expensive.

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