Convention center solar panels repaired

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The solar panels installed when the Austin Convention Center was built two decades ago have not been working nearly all these years, KXAN News has learned.
       
But they are working now, after a local company that makes power converters teamed up with the city of Austin.

Fixing the problem would not have been possible without years of technological advances.

A Department of Energy grant helped pay for the solar panels on the east side of the Convention Center back in 1991.

But just a couple years after they were installed, the inverter that helped covert sunlight to energy broke and was never fixed.

"If we're going to put them up there we should use them, save power, save money and everything like that," said Austin resident Charles Parker.

Paul Bundschuh with Ideal Power Converters said the reason the city didn't replace the converter was because it was too expensive and the power benefit did not outweigh the cost back then.

"The systems were not very sufficient at that time," said Bundschuh
    
That's why Bundschuh's company teamed up wish the city on a pilot project to install its new 30 kilowatt patented inverter.  At 94 pounds, it's much smaller than the convention center's original one one that weighs 1,200 pounds.

"It's much simpler logistics and installation and as the cost of the panels has declined the installation is the most expensive part of these systems. So logistics is the key to reducing installation costs," said Bundschuh.

The solar panels at the Austin Convention Center are among the oldest in the industry.  After sitting idle -- not working for 20 years, they are now generating energy again thanks to the new inverter.

Although the power generated is only enough to power about five homes. But at least it's someing, Bundschuh said.

"New panels would be roughly twice as efficient in their surface area as these olds systems but still the value produced by the array is significant and it adds up over a period of years," said Bundschuh.

This is one example of how technological advances from the past--will continue to help Austin become the green city it wants to be in the future.

"I'm glad they're operational again. That's what I'm glad about because just using solar power is way better than just using energy," said Bundschuh.

Ideal Power Converters says its currently working on larger commercial projects at UT, as well as one in San Antonio.  Those systems will be equivalent to powering 50 homes.

The company is finishing up industry certifications and will sell its inverters commercially in about a month or two.