Solar Power Partners

Solar Power Partners (SPP) is a company that builds what they call distributed solar energy facilities for businesses, government agencies and institutions as well as the agricultural sector. The company maintains these small scale power stations and in return they sell the green electricity to the host through long term Power Purchase Agreements. This maintenance includes cleaning, repair work and generally monitoring system performance. This leaves absolutely no work at all for the participating company or institution.

SPP Projects

SPP currently has 34 projects operating in California, United States, and one in Hawaii. These projects range in size from 33 kW in San Diego to a massive 2.4 MW installation at Fresno Airport, pictured to the right.

The projects together produce a total of about 12.8 MW of electricity. This does not sound like a great deal compared to some of the larger Solar Power Stations currently in use and planned for the future. However, the value of SPP's work is in its ease of use for customers and its decentralized nature, which gives SPP's customers more reliable energy that is also green in nature.

A Green Business Model

This business model involves a high degree of up front investment in infrastructure by SPP. The agreements signed with the host companies or institutions make each venture worthwhile for SPP, but this model of doing business is not just about the profit margin. SPP is making a positive contribution to the long term energy independence of the United States and are at the same time supporting the solar industry.

Company History

SPP is a fairly new company, being established in 2006. Its headquarters are in Mill Valley, California. Financing of the solar energy facilities is being provided by Bank of America in the form of a tax equity investment and Energy Investors Funds through their United States Power Fund III.

More Information

You can read more about SPP's Power Purchase Agreements by visiting the company website here.

13 May 2009

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