MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cogenra Solar®, a provider of distributed solar cogeneration systems and renewable energy service solutions, announced today a contract to build solar cogeneration arrays at La Posada, an accredited, continuing care retirement community on 110 acres in Southern Arizona. Home to more than 700 senior residents, La Posada will bolster its environmental commitment and drive down ongoing energy expenses with multiple solar cogeneration systems, providing renewable hot water and electricity for resident use, laundry facilities and a fitness pavilion.
“When La Posada decided to pursue an alternative energy plan for our continuing care campus, we wanted to uphold and promote our reputation as a leader in the U.S. market of over 10,000 aging services facilities. In keeping with our reputation, it was important to our community to set a standard for alternative energy product design,” said Lisa Israel, La Posada president and CEO.
A community that prides itself in environmental stewardship, La Posada has demonstrated its commitment through sustainable landscaping, lighting and several lifestyle initiatives, as well as a 3.14 kW photovoltaic (PV) system on each of the campus’ “green” neighborhoods of 35 individual residences called the Park Centre Homes. The residents will soon welcome the addition of Cogenra’s systems, which will be showcased outside the complex’s fitness and spa center. The ground-mounted SunDeck® array will feed hot water and electricity to fuel daily needs such as laundering, showering, cleaning and lighting.
“We thoroughly researched our options and determined the modular product by Cogenra was an easy choice, as part of our comprehensive alternative energy plan. From the system design phase to the implementation and construction of the array, Cogenra’s professional approach, knowledge of system design and willingness to assist La Posada in meeting our alternative energy plan, as well as our Return on Investment expectations, has proven to be an invaluable alliance,” said Israel.
La Posada will be Cogenra’s first installation in Arizona, where the fully certified solar cogeneration solution is eligible for both solar electric and solar hot water performance-based incentives provided by Tucson Electric Power’s (TEP) Renewable Energy Credit Purchase Program and other Arizona utilities. With solar cogeneration’s dual incentives and robust federal tax advantages, such as the Investment Tax Credit and accelerated depreciation, Arizona businesses will experience a payback period of four to six years, nearly half that of standard PV installations.
“Even in Tucson’s desert climate, natural gas is burned every day of the year to heat water for domestic applications,” said Cogenra CEO Dr. Gilad Almogy. “With solar cogeneration, PV waste heat is harvested to provide domestic hot water needs, displacing valuable natural gas while cooling the PV cells for optimal performance in the desert conditions. This win-win enables a greater environmental contribution and faster payback than any other solar solution.”
About Cogenra Solar
Cogenra Solar is a distributed solar cogeneration company that combines photovoltaic electricity production and heat collection to deliver low cost electricity and hot water for commercial, industrial and institutional facilities. Cogenra’s solution enables clean, renewable energy below utility rates while reducing natural gas and grid-fed electricity consumption. Cogenra is located in Mountain View, California. Please visit www.cogenra.com for more information.
About La Posada
La Posada is the largest senior service provider in the Green Valley area and has obtained the status as the first Arizona retirement community to receive national accreditation. La Posada began in 1987 as the vision of Tucson Medical Center to bring needed programs and services to the senior residents of the Green Valley area. The campus includes exceptional housing options and numerous support services, including a medical component. In 1997, La Posada became an independent, not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community. For more information, visit www.laposadagv.com