Akeena Solar Brings Solar Power to Star Quality Concrete, Boosts Sustainable Concrete Recycling Process
LOS GATOS, Calif. – Akeena Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, today announced the Star Quality Concrete project. This installation will be the largest commercial solar power system in San Jose.
The 410 KW Akeena Solar power system will house 1,890 Akeena solar panels on the roof of Star Quality Concrete in downtown San Jose.
“At Akeena Solar, we are excited about the opportunity to help existing manufacturing businesses operate in a renewable and lower cost way,” said Jim Curran, Akeena Solar COO. “At the same time that we assist companies make the transition, we’re also proud to move San Jose closer to achieving Mayor Reed’s vision for a greener San Jose.”
Star Quality Concrete, a family-owned, independent concrete mixing plant has received global recognition for its innovative technology and its recent foray into sustainability. The company’s newest technology manufactures sand and rock for concrete aggregate by crushing demolition concrete.
“The desire to use clean power to support a facility like ours first drove us to look at installing a solar system,” said Jerry Blatt, owner of Star Quality Concrete. “Recycling old concrete relied heavily on fossil fuels, which also significantly drove up operating costs. Akeena Solar is building a renewable power system that will help us lower our operating costs and improve our efficiency in a way that is both economically and environmentally beneficial.”
“I am delighted that one of our long-time San Jose companies, Star Quality Concrete, is going green by installing the city’s largest commercial solar system,” said Mayor Chuck Reed. “From residents to businesses, San Joseans are working hard to increase our use of clean energy and decrease our reliance on foreign fossil fuels.”
About Akeena Solar, Inc.
Founded in 2001, Akeena Solar’s philosophy is simple: We believe producing clean electricity directly from the sun is the right thing to do for our environment and economy. Akeena Solar has grown to become one of the largest national installers of residential and commercial solar power systems in the United States. The company’s new integrated solar panel system, Andalay, is the only solar panel system with integrated racking, wiring and grounding. Andalay panels offer unprecedented reliability, performance and aesthetics. For more information, visit Akeena Solar’s website at www.akeena.com.