June 30, 2010, Project Photos available for viewing at: http://marketing.matc.edu/web/photos/063010_photovoltaic_educational_lab_takes_shape/
June 9, 2010, Project Photos available for viewing at: http://marketing.matc.edu/web/photos/060910_photovoltaic_lab_construction_site_tour
Kathleen Hohl, Communications and Events Director
414-297-6208 (office); 414-235-7105 (cell); hohlk@matc.edu
Angela Adams, Johnson Controls Public Relations Manager
414-524-5210 (office); 414-267-7442 (cell); Angela.S.Adams@jci.com
MATC Celebrates
Photovoltaic Educational Laboratory
Groundbreaking
Representatives from Milwaukee Area Technical College and Johnson Controls participate in a groundbreaking ceremony May 5, 2010.
MILWAUKEE (May 5, 2010) - More than 100 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Milwaukee Area Technical College's Photovoltaic Educational Laboratory, a 32-acre, 510 kW facility, located at 810 E. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee.
MATC and Johnson Controls, the global leader in delivering products, services and solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, are collaborating on the project, believed to be the first of its kind in the United States. Energy produced at the site will be used to operate the Milwaukee Public Television transmitter that is located at the site. This will be the first public television transmitter in the country that will transition to being neutral to the energy grid. The estimated energy savings in the first year of operation is $70,300.
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“The groundbreaking ceremony signals an historic day for MATC and Johnson Controls,” said MATC President Dr. Michael L. Burke. “This is unlike any solar facility or training center in the country. This project advances renewable energy to heights we have not seen before and we could not be more excited and proud to work with Johnson Controls to bring this project to life.”
The facility also will serve as a training center for technicians, designers, site assessors, electricians, sales personnel and other professionals in the fields of renewable energy.
The facility will feature eight different configurations of 2,590 PV panels from four different manufacturers. The variety in configurations increases student learning opportunities.
Representatives from MATC and JCI expect the project to be completed in late summer 2010. |
This is a sample of a photovoltaic array that will be installed at MATC's Photovoltaic Educational Farm.
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“The MATC PV training facility helps to develop the next generation of energy engineers and technicians,” said Don Albinger, vice president, global energy and sustainability operations, Johnson Controls. “Developing future leaders and practitioners is critical to the continued growth of renewable energy technology.”
Traditional PV farms are typically constructed in rural areas. Project coordinators from MATC and Johnson Controls recognized that underutilized urban parcels, such as parking lots, remediated landfills and brown fields could successfully house the facility, thus eliminating the need to invest in expensive transmission systems need to move the energy from where it is generated to where it is used.
As a commitment to future urban growth, the entire solar education laboratory will be portable. Panels, fence posts and solar trackers will be mounted to concrete ballasts, rather than attached to the ground, which is typical in a traditionally-constructed PV facility. It is believed this is the first entirely portable PV facility in the U.S.
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MATC District Board Chair Lauren Baker
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MATC President Dr. Michael L. Burke
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MATC Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Vicki J. Martin
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Johnson Controls Vice President for Solutions Sales Brad Bateman
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The training capabilities at The PV Lab will strengthen and expand partnerships with other institutions of higher learning, including UW-Milwaukee, Marquette, MSOE, and Concordia. Additionally, K-12 teachers and students will have the opportunity to visit the site in person or through virtual means to learn more about solar technology.
State businesses also will benefit from the facility. Of the 14 vendors subcontracted by Johnson Controls to work on various aspects of the project, eight companies are located within the MATC District and five others are located in Wisconsin.
The project was unanimously approved by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board on Sept. 30, 2009.
Additional Media
Additional photos from the event can be found here:
http://marketing.matc.edu/web/photos/050510_photovoltaic_educational_laboratory_groundbreaking/
Video of the event can be found on the MATC YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/InsideMATC
About MATC
The largest technical college in the state, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of the economy in southeastern Wisconsin. MATC offers 200 degrees, diplomas, certificates and apprenticeships, plus nearly 400 transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees. A large pre-college program enables people to complete high school and prepare for higher learning. The Office of Corporate Learning provides customized training to incumbent workers. Approximately 48,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses, numerous evening centers and community-based sites, or learn online. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses right here at home. Visit www.matc.edu.
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader, serving customers in over 150 countries. Our 130,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful.
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