GridPoint Renewable Energy Solution Saves HOLT CAT 40 Percent on Electricity Costs

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- GridPoint, Inc., an established leader for smart energy solutions and HOLT CAT®, the Caterpillar® Equipment and Engine dealer for South, Central, North and North East Texas, today announced the powering of a 59 kW photovoltaic solar array at HOLT CAT's new San Antonio training and support facility.

HOLT is aiming for Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification on the new facility. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building was designed and built using strategies that improve performance across environmental metrics. 

The training center currently boasts a 59 kW system comprised of 240 solar panels capable of producing 79,304 kWh of electricity annually. HOLT is planning to install additional panels to bring the system to a total of 103 kW in the coming months. Upon completion the system will produce 137,739 kWh of energy annually. 

"Based on our estimated power usage, the solar panels will generate almost 40 percent of our electricity needs," said Allyn Archer, President and COO of HOLT CAT. "The offset will significantly reduce our operating costs and help us attain Silver LEED status."

The GridPoint solar energy solution was custom-designed for the HOLT facility using a state-of-the-art racking system. Utilizing clamps and solar wedge technology, the solar panels were installed without a single roof penetration. The innovative mounting system can withstand a 110 mph wind load and more than 30 pounds of pressure per square foot.

"We are proud GridPoint's solar energy solution helped HOLT CAT meet its LEED goal. They are a great example of corporate sustainability and environmental leadership," said Jeff Ross, senior vice president of GridPoint.

The solar energy solution integrates with GridPoint's advanced monitoring to record and display the current and historical energy production of HOLT's operation. The Web-based portal displays consumption data, current weather conditions; environmental contribution toward reduction of greenhouse gasses; and monetary savings achieved by its solar electric generation in day, week, month, year and lifetime increments. 

GridPoint provides solar energy solutions for enterprises that include design and engineering, project management, monitoring, and procurement and installation of assets including solar panels, inverters and racking. The company's renewable energy customers include local, state and federal municipalities as well as major restaurants and retailers.