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Southern California Gas Company: The Gas Company to Jumpstart Newest Solar Technologies to Boost Use of Renewable Energy

^{Published on 2009-01-29 11:10:21, Last Modified on 2009-01-29 11:11:00 - Market Wire}
 

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 29, 2009) - Solar energy will play an important role in President Obama's plan promoting renewable technologies to spur economic growth and reduce greenhouse gases. Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) and its sister utility, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), will help accelerate the commercialization of new solar technologies by inviting five of the world's leading solar companies to install their latest solar innovations at utility sites, in a race for the brightest and best.

 WHAT: Large cranes will delicately maneuver highly sensitive solar equipment at the first of five sites. The technology uses mirrors to track the sun to intensify the sunlight for increased efficiencies. The resulting solar energy will be used to heat water that runs an air-conditioning system at The Gas Company's Energy Resource Center in Downey. The Energy Resource Center is a 45,000-square-feet facility offering a one-stop "idea shop" for customers to learn about the most energy-efficient, cost-effective and environmentally sensitive solutions to their energy needs. WHEN: Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at 10 a.m. WHERE: 9240 E. Firestone Blvd. Downey, Calif. WHO: Hal Snyder, vice president of customer solutions, The Gas Company Anders Jepsen, CEO, HelioDynamics Officials from Sopogy HOW: -- The new units will be the first of five unique solar technologies to be tested as part of an 18-month demonstration program being sponsored by The Gas Company and SDG&E. -- The new solar collectors at the Energy Resource Center will produce 10 tons of cooling, or enough air conditioning to cool two to three average-sized homes. -- The five technology companies are from Southern California, Hawaii and the United Kingdom. DIRECTIONS: Take the 5 Fwy. South to Rosemead Blvd./Lakewood Blvd. exit, go south to Firestone Blvd, turn left (east). Proceed to 9240 E. Firestone Blvd. The building is on the right (south side); pull into the driveway and park in the back parking lot.