SEM’s solar team is busy this time of year! We recently flipped the switch on a nearly 200-kW PV system for IDEAL Fastener just up the road in Oxford, North Carolina. They’ve got facilities in more than 20 countries world-wide, and are already considering adding another solar array to the same factory here or one of their plants overseas. (more…)
Author Archive
Second Biggest Zipper Company In The World Goes Solar
Thursday, January 19th, 2012Washington and Lee Solar Array: Largest In Virginia
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012SEM recently finished up work for a project at Lewis Hall, Washington and Lee’s school of law. The system includes more than 1,000 SunPower modules, making it the largest in Virginia. This is the second time we’ve partnered with Secure Futures to help install a system for universities in Virginia, and we think this can be a great model for other schools wanting to do something similar.
Solar Farm At Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant Energized
Friday, December 30th, 2011Over the last few years, SEM has been working hard with the City of Raleigh, NxGen and Progress Energy to bring a really cool solar project to fruition. In late December, we were able to flip the switch on the 1.3-megawatt solar farm at the Neuse River Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project is a testament to the complexities of a major solar project — and proof positive that dedicated partners can make it work!
Thirteen Henderson County School Buildings Earn ENERGY STAR Label
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011This has been a busy semester for more than a dozen schools in Henderson County. They have put a priority on building performance — by having 13 different buildings qualify for the Energy Star label. It’s always seems to mean a little more for the SEM team when we get to do work like this. Meghan McDermott, the building science engineer who did most of the work for us, said it well: “We’re not just teaching students the importance of sustainability, we’re showing them how to achieve it.” (more…)
Westgate Chrysler Jeep Partners With Southern Energy Management For Large Solar Project
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011We’ve teamed up with Westgate Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram this fall, putting a 98.7 kilowatt PV system on the roof of their service bay. It’s the first time a car dealership has ever taken advantage of Progress Energy’s SunSense Commercial Solar PV Program, which is pretty cool. My favorite part of this project, though, is the visibility! Westgate CJDR is located off the northern end of the runway at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, and they have dozens of planes buzzing their property every day. Next time you fly out of RDU, make sure you look for this system! (more…)
Solar Double Cropping at Piedmont Biofuels
Monday, September 12th, 2011
We’re busy right now in Pittsboro, working on one of the cooler concept projects that I’ve come across in a while: “solar double cropping.” The basic idea is that we install the modules high enough off the ground so that farmers can harvest crops that thrive in partial shade.
There is a great group of people & companies involved in this project, including Miraverse Power and Light, Piedmont Biofuels and Piedmont Biofarm. (more…)
North Carolina Solar Center Expands Testing Capabilities With Donated Solar Array
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011We recently finished installing a 1.98 kW PV system for the North Carolina Solar Center. This is the third time SEM has had a chance to work with the solar center — and the second time we’ve put in a solar array for Kaneka. This latest project involved three ground-mount arrays lined up in front of the Solar House on NC State’s campus, and featured a new hybrid thin-film module that the Solar Center will test for Kaneka. (more…)
The Gong Show
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011One of the great things about working at SEM is we try not to take ourselves too seriously around the office. The gong is a perfect example. For years, one thing has been constant: if you have something worth celebrating, you ring the gong. Whether you’re wrapping up a job well done, you’ve landed a contract or it’s gorgeous out and you just think everyone should enjoy the weather, the gong is appropriate for almost any happy occasion. It’s something that makes everyone chuckle, poke their heads up and find out what’s going on. (more…)
HelioSage and MTC Logistics Power Baltimore Facility With Solar
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011
I love it when we do really visible solar projects — it’s even cooler when those visible projects are big. MTC Logistics is both. This is a 736.9 kW system featuring more than 3,000 modules on the roof of a massive warehouse that sits just under one of Baltimore’s busiest roads: Interstate 95. Every day, thousands of people drive past this system and see a great example of a company that gets it. MTC Logistics is using solar power the best way possible, because their peak energy demand happens to be right when the sun is shining the brightest. We were proud to work with Heliosage on a cool project in a hot spot. (more…)
Southern Energy Management’s Solar Team Bolsters National Certifications
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
Beyond doubt, one of the things that makes SEM great is the people. The team members I get to work with every day are some of the most dedicated and talented people in the industry, and it shows. With the addition of 5 new NABCEP certifications to various team members’ resumes, SEM is continuing to walk the walk. NABCEP (the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) is the industry standard for quality and experience — and we’ve now got 13 NABCEP certifications among our solar installation and sales teams. Check it out: (more…)
