Barack Obama meets with PV Powered's CEO Gregg Patterson
Living in the state of Oregon is pretty much a “green” experience. Even my Central Oregon hometown, Bend, is in the news frequently with respect to solar power and other renewable energy sources. Among several leading companies in this sector is PV Powered, a photovoltaics engineering company which designs and manufactures solar inverters. Based on Bend, Oregon, PV Powered focuses its production on both residential and commercial solar inverters. Since we have 300 days of sunshine a year here, it seems appropriate that a solar energy company would be based in Central Oregon!
What is a solar inverter, you ask? Well, it is the key component to of a solar power system. Solar panels can gather the energy from the sun, but to convert it to useable electricity, you need a solar inverter. PV Powered is a leader in the solar inverter market. Its slogan is:
“Simply More Reliable Solar”
The following video describes the basic process by which DC (direct current) is converted into AC (alternating current) through a solar inverter:
As pictured above, PV Powered welcomed presidential candidate Barack Obama back in May 2008. Obama used his tour of PV Powered as the basis of a press conference at which he discussed the future of solar energy and other renewable energy resources. As a result, many more people became aware of PV Powered’s work on solar inverters.
Residential solar inverter
In September 2008, PV Powered was awarded $5 million under the Solar Grid Integration System program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. The goal of the program is to “develop advanced inverters” and other components that will reduce the overall cost of solar electricity, enable grid penetration and increase PV system reliability. This ties into the Solar America Initiative under which solar electric technologies shall be cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by 2015.
PV Powered’s CEO, Gregg Patterson, had this to say about the award:
“PV Powered is honored to be selected by Sandia and the US DOE for this highly competitive program. The SEGIS program is a perfect complement to the industry-leading inverter reliability work we pioneered with Boeing as part of an earlier SAI program.”
Obviously, even the federal government agrees that PV Powered is a leader in solar inverters.
Quick facts about PV Powered:
- Founded in 2003
- Based in Bend, Oregon
- Largest US-based manufacturer of solar power inverter technology
- PV Powered products are UL listed and designed for highest reliability
- PV Powered’s inverters have the highest efficiency ratings in the solar market
- Thousands of PV Powered’s products are in use across the nation
Since I am fortunate enough to live in the same city in which PV Powered is based, I have the ability to stay up to date on news related to the company, solar inverters, and even rub shoulders with some of the PV Powered employees at local events! If only I could have scored a ticket to see Barack Obama’s tour of the plant…..
Well, better luck for me in 2012!
Tags: bend oregon, pv powered, solar inverters
May 14th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I so love the idea of what you are doing! I would love to be a part of such an experience. I have over 20 years experience in Quality Inspection and Assurance. I would like to know if you are accepting applications? Please email me if you are.
Sincerely,
Betty Browning
bettybrowning60@yahoo.com
May 14th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Hi Betty, I am not associated with PV Powered, though I agree – it would be a great company to work for. Check out their website and see if they have any new positions posted. Good luck!
Stephanie
June 30th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Respected Sir/ Madam,
My name is A PRAKASH I am working for M/S AJAX FIORI ENGINEERING (I) LTD – a Multi National Company, – manufacturers of construction equipment, (Bangalore, India,)
I am interested in Solar energy and planning to use solar system , also in view of saving power.
I wish to install a solar lighting system in my house and my requirement is as below :
1.Tube lights 6 nos
2.100 wts Bulb 4 nos
3.SAMSUNG refrigerator 1 no
4.Sealing fan 3 nos
5.Wall fan 2 nos
6.Bed light (Night light) 3 nos,
7.Samsung Flat TV 1 no
8.Plasma TV 1 no
At present all the above are running by using the E B Supply,
If the Solar energy can be used for the house for lighting and to run other domestic electrical appliances, please give me the details :
•Total Space Required to install the Solar unit
•Total Investment Required
•Mode of payment
•Service Back up
•Availability of spare parts (If required)
•In comparison to the EB Supply is the monthly expense is low ?
Thanking you and awaiting your early reply,
With regards,
A PRAKASH
Sr. Service Engineer
s/o Y N Aswatha Reddy
KSRTC, Rajanukunte,
Bangalore north,
Bangalore-560 064,
PH: 080 28468026
Mob:09945500628,
December 7th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Solar Power for Houses
A basic solar installation from a retailer can take 30 years to pay back and cost you well over $20,000?
I just made my own solar panel. It was so simple and looks just like a bought panel.
I managed to build 4 solar panels for under $200!
Residential solar electric systems
For more datailed information please visit: http://tinyurl.com/ygcsoay
March 31st, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Solar power for houses?
A basic solar installation from a retailer can take 30 years to pay back and cost you well over $20,000?
I just made my own solar panel. It was so simple and looks just like a bought panel.
I managed to build 4 solar panels for under $200!
May 18th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Solar Power for Houses
A basic solar installation from a retailer can take 30 years to pay back and cost you well over $20,000?
I just made my own solar panel. It was so simple and looks just like a bought panel.
I managed to build 4 solar panels for under $200! This Is Not A Joke!
Residential solar electric systems