Nestled in the heart of San Diego’s north county coastal area at Palomar-McClellan Airport in Carlsbad is the newly renovated FBO and business aviation facility, Jet Source. One bright and unusual note is it's all operating under the sun, Mother Nature's smile, Solar Energy.
This 120,000 square foot FBO costs little to nothing to run for electrical power, requires minimal to no maintenance for electrical energy, produces no pollution and is a center of attention for the aviation and social community of Carlsbad. Jet Source's renovation included upgraded interior and exterior improved lighting in the parking lots, taxiways, as well as all general lighting throughout the property for better efficiency, quality, color, and security. Amazingly it's all powered by solar energy.
"It's the only 100% solar efficient aviation FBO in California, and to my knowledge the only 100% solar energy efficient FBO in the country," says Frank Milian, Jet Source's Chief Operating Officer.
Milian was instrumental in the prudent business decision to take Jet Source solar, sighting sound business solution, rebates, respect of the environment and solid community concern as his primary reasons.
"The solar systems are producing enough "juice" to power the equivalent of about 200 homes per year and saving Jet Source around $60,000 annually," proclaims Milian.
The switch was flipped on the 174 kW (DC) and 142 kW (DC) Solar Power Systems, using over 4800 photovoltaic panel modules manufactured by Shell Solar Industries in Camarillo, CA. The photovoltaic panels are secured on the roofs of Jet Source Hanger #'s 2 and 4, and generate around 450,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, making it a perfect choice for the high consumption corridor of Jet Source.
Exactly what is a photovoltaic solar panel? It's simply a grouping of panels that contain many palm-sized cells installed on a building roof and powered by the sun. The grid-tied system consists of numerous rows of these silicon protected solar panels on the hangar roofs. The panels collect and convert sunlight into DC power. This is then changed into useable AC power by large inverters and fed back into the electrical grid during the day. At night, needed electrical energy is drawn back from the grid to serve nighttime distribution needs.
This "clean energy" generated by the new system means that Jet Source will be using very little power derived from fossil fuels, helping to preserve the environment and eliminating the production of greenhouse gasses. How much in green house gases? To be exact, 27 tons of SO2, 19 tons of NO2, and 6,000 tons of CO2, all of which would have been generated by the use of fossil fuels. Solar produces the clean energy at the exact location where it is being used, during the peak workday hours of need. And Jet Source isn't paying the high distribution cost of electricity charged by public utilities.
"We were 100% confident from the beginning that we could create the first turnkey solar system for aviation and began working on the Jet Source benchmark project in June, 2004, with completion right on schedule," says SoCal owner, CEO and solar engineering expert, Jim Pierrat. The project deadline was June 2005.
"After 30 years' experience and a solid reputation as an electrical engineer, I went into the marketing and installation of high tech Solar PV photovoltaic system solutions just over three years ago to form SoCal Solar Energy, Inc.," Pierrat declares.
Pierrat is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a member of The Association of Energy Engineers, The Association of California Conservation Contractors and an approved contractor by the League of California Homeowners. He has the handle on solar technology and business applications for it, and that was critical in Jet Source's careful selection of the best solar company for the project.
"The safe operation of aircraft has been and will always be priority at Jet Source. This operating philosophy is embraced with strong conviction by our dedicated team of aviation professionals and is demonstrated at every level within our organization. The audit of ARG/US consists of multiple evaluations of quality and safety, including operational and maintenance procedures" Jet Source's COO, Milian continues.
"Solar made good business sense," quips Jet Source owner, Richard McWilliam, also chairman and founder of global empire, The Upper Deck, and chosen "most influential" person of the past 20 years for changing the face of the sports collectible industry around the world.
"Solar offers a measure of independence from the volatile and unpredictable electricity markets, not to mention the sensitivity we must all address in our rapid depletion of natural resources and pollution of the environment by the use of fossil fuels," McWilliams adds.
USA Today's cover story, October 13, 2005, stated the U.S. Energy Information Administration's report that hard hit natural gas production will be a cause for heating bills to jump as high as 50% in some parts of the country this upcoming winter season for Americans who heat with natural gas.
Jet Source insisted on the best external visual appeal to their decision as well. Rising costs are vital but what there was also overall appearance to consider
Gone are the days when solar panels are unsightly, Instead, today's solar photovoltaic panels make for a streamline, high-tech, futuristic, "Jetsons" look for commercial and residential buildings.
What about the future of solar in the aviation industry? Business and residence energy consumers are rapidly becoming solar savvy. Big energy burners are yesterday's news. Efficiency is 'in'. Waste is so 'last century'.
This 120,000 square foot FBO costs little to nothing to run for electrical power, requires minimal to no maintenance for electrical energy, produces no pollution and is a center of attention for the aviation and social community of Carlsbad. Jet Source's renovation included upgraded interior and exterior improved lighting in the parking lots, taxiways, as well as all general lighting throughout the property for better efficiency, quality, color, and security. Amazingly it's all powered by solar energy.
"It's the only 100% solar efficient aviation FBO in California, and to my knowledge the only 100% solar energy efficient FBO in the country," says Frank Milian, Jet Source's Chief Operating Officer.
Milian was instrumental in the prudent business decision to take Jet Source solar, sighting sound business solution, rebates, respect of the environment and solid community concern as his primary reasons.
"The solar systems are producing enough "juice" to power the equivalent of about 200 homes per year and saving Jet Source around $60,000 annually," proclaims Milian.
The switch was flipped on the 174 kW (DC) and 142 kW (DC) Solar Power Systems, using over 4800 photovoltaic panel modules manufactured by Shell Solar Industries in Camarillo, CA. The photovoltaic panels are secured on the roofs of Jet Source Hanger #'s 2 and 4, and generate around 450,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, making it a perfect choice for the high consumption corridor of Jet Source.
Exactly what is a photovoltaic solar panel? It's simply a grouping of panels that contain many palm-sized cells installed on a building roof and powered by the sun. The grid-tied system consists of numerous rows of these silicon protected solar panels on the hangar roofs. The panels collect and convert sunlight into DC power. This is then changed into useable AC power by large inverters and fed back into the electrical grid during the day. At night, needed electrical energy is drawn back from the grid to serve nighttime distribution needs.
This "clean energy" generated by the new system means that Jet Source will be using very little power derived from fossil fuels, helping to preserve the environment and eliminating the production of greenhouse gasses. How much in green house gases? To be exact, 27 tons of SO2, 19 tons of NO2, and 6,000 tons of CO2, all of which would have been generated by the use of fossil fuels. Solar produces the clean energy at the exact location where it is being used, during the peak workday hours of need. And Jet Source isn't paying the high distribution cost of electricity charged by public utilities.
"We were 100% confident from the beginning that we could create the first turnkey solar system for aviation and began working on the Jet Source benchmark project in June, 2004, with completion right on schedule," says SoCal owner, CEO and solar engineering expert, Jim Pierrat. The project deadline was June 2005.
"After 30 years' experience and a solid reputation as an electrical engineer, I went into the marketing and installation of high tech Solar PV photovoltaic system solutions just over three years ago to form SoCal Solar Energy, Inc.," Pierrat declares.
Pierrat is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a member of The Association of Energy Engineers, The Association of California Conservation Contractors and an approved contractor by the League of California Homeowners. He has the handle on solar technology and business applications for it, and that was critical in Jet Source's careful selection of the best solar company for the project.
"The safe operation of aircraft has been and will always be priority at Jet Source. This operating philosophy is embraced with strong conviction by our dedicated team of aviation professionals and is demonstrated at every level within our organization. The audit of ARG/US consists of multiple evaluations of quality and safety, including operational and maintenance procedures" Jet Source's COO, Milian continues.
"Solar made good business sense," quips Jet Source owner, Richard McWilliam, also chairman and founder of global empire, The Upper Deck, and chosen "most influential" person of the past 20 years for changing the face of the sports collectible industry around the world.
"Solar offers a measure of independence from the volatile and unpredictable electricity markets, not to mention the sensitivity we must all address in our rapid depletion of natural resources and pollution of the environment by the use of fossil fuels," McWilliams adds.
USA Today's cover story, October 13, 2005, stated the U.S. Energy Information Administration's report that hard hit natural gas production will be a cause for heating bills to jump as high as 50% in some parts of the country this upcoming winter season for Americans who heat with natural gas.
Jet Source insisted on the best external visual appeal to their decision as well. Rising costs are vital but what there was also overall appearance to consider
Gone are the days when solar panels are unsightly, Instead, today's solar photovoltaic panels make for a streamline, high-tech, futuristic, "Jetsons" look for commercial and residential buildings.
What about the future of solar in the aviation industry? Business and residence energy consumers are rapidly becoming solar savvy. Big energy burners are yesterday's news. Efficiency is 'in'. Waste is so 'last century'.