Austin Energy installs solar panels

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Energy has signed its first leasing agreement with the Yellow Bike Project.

AE and HelioVolt are coming together to install the first locally produced solar panels in Austin on the roof of the non-profit Yellow Bike Project.

AE will own the solar system which will feed the 15,400kWh created annually into the AE grid and will pay the Yellow Bike Project $350 a year for the use of their space said AE officials.

The thin-film solar modules can be produced in as little as six minutes by a printing process and are the first to be installed locally by HelioVolt, which is the first Austin based solar manufacturing company.

These panels are made from Copper Indium Gallium Selenide rather than commonly used silicon.

The installation of these panels indicate a major advancement in the city's push for clean energy.

The project is also the first by AE to pilot and research leasing rooftop space from non-profit organizations and on commercial properties.