First Phase Complete of Large Solar Carport Installation at VA Medical Center

PHOENIX, Ariz. — SunWize recently completed the first phase of one the nation’s largest solar carport at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

Additionally, the project, which had previously been slated for 3.63 MW, has expanded to 4.45 MW of photovoltaic solar production. Scheduled to be completed in early 2012, the project will transform the hospital parking lot into a clean power plant, making use of more than 18,000 solar panels. It will be the industry’s largest solar carport installation and the largest hospital solar photovoltaic system.

The Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center project is one of a number of solar hospital systems now under contract with SunWize as a part of a comprehensive VA effort to utilize renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. The completed installation is expected to generate more than 7 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually—enough electricity to power more than 700 homes. This reduction in energy demand from the electric grid is equivalent to a yearly reduction of more than 9.3 million pounds of CO2 emissions. As an added benefit, the system will also provide covered parking for more than 1,625 cars.

“We are pleased with the completion of phase one of this project and the progress we are making on the second phase,” said David Kaltsas, president of the Systems Group at SunWize. “We applaud the VA’s commitment to renewable energy, and are proud of the confidence shown in SunWize with its expansion of the system to become the largest carport PV system and hospital installation in the industry.”

For more information on SunWize’s solar hospital experience, please visit http://www.sunwize.com/hospitals or Booth #101 at CleanMED 2011 in Phoenix, AZ, April 5 – 8.

About SunWize Technologies

SunWize Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A), Inc., offers superior solar energy solutions to homes and businesses in the U.S. and abroad. The SunWize advantage is complete commitment to the customer’s satisfaction. Founded in 1992, SunWize is a pioneering solar distributor delivering top-tier products to the North American marketplace. The company manufactures a full line of best-in-class engineered solutions. In addition, SunWize continues to build on its reputation for high-quality residential, commercial, public sector, and industrial installations. The company operates manufacturing and distribution facilities on the east and west coasts and sales offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, call SunWize at (408) 510-5178 or visit www.sunwize.com.

About The Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center

The Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which is part of the Phoenix VA Health Care System, has been serving veterans in Maricopa County since 1951. We are a level one tertiary care facility that offers a variety of services to more than 80,000 veterans. We currently have 130 inpatient beds for medical and surgical patients, 80 beds for nursing home patients and 40 inpatient beds for mental health patients. We are honored to serve our veterans who have paid the price for us to enjoy our freedoms. You can visit us on the web at www.phoenix.va.gov and on social media at www.facebook.com/PhxVAHealthcare or www.twitter.com/PhxVAHealthcare.