Power on: Branch Library and Medical Center go Solar

Word on the Street - February 12, 2007

Fresno Bee

Unlimited Energy soon will install solar panels on two public buildings in San Francisco, marking a first for the Fresno-based company.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday approved a contract worth about $500,000 to install a 10-kilowatt solar system on the roof of the Chinatown Branch Library and a 30-kilowatt system on the Maxine Hall Medical Center.

Unlimited Energy will partner with Design Build Solutions to carry out those contracts, said Tommie Nellon, company president and chief executive. The job is expected to begin in May and be finished by June, he said.

Unlimited Energy has done some residential solar installations in San Francisco in the past, but this will be the first commercial project there for the company, said Mark Stout, energy consultant with the company.

"Being on a library building and medical center in San Francisco is really going to increase the visibility of Unlimited Energy on the state level," he said. "Every patron that goes in the lobby will see a display we'll provide showing the power output on the roof."