Austin Energy buying $2M in panels from SolarWorld

Austin Energy is contracting with SolarWorld to supply more than $2 million in solar panels.

The Austin City Council approved the consent item during a regular meeting Thursday, picking Hillsboro-based SolarWorld as the best of six bids including three companies from Austin, Texas.

The measure allows the energy supplier to extend the two-year agreement to a maximum three years and $3.7 million.

The solar photovoltaic modules will be installed on municipal buildings including parks and recreation, Austin Public Library, Austin Water Utility, Austin Energy and others. A separate company will have to be paid to install the panels.

A $450,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy is funding 21 solar learning centers being installed at Austin Independent School District facilities. The outdoor centers power the host school and teach students about the solar industry.

The project is part of Austin Energy's plan to increase renewable energy capacity to 200 megawatts by 2020. The energy produced by the panels is equivalent to removing an estimated 380 cars from roads annually, or planting 59,475 trees.

Austin has set aside a total $21.7 million for alternative energy purchases.

SolarWorld said in May that it could double its U.S. production capacity. The company, which expects to employ 1,000 people in Hillsboro by next month, announced in July a 70 percent revenue increase.

From the Austin Business Journal.