SCHOTT Solar PV Inc., Kastle Solar & Wind Announce Completion of Largest Solar Installation in Southwest Ohio

SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. and Dayton-based Kastle Solar & Wind were joined by Montgomery County commissioner Dan Foley to announce the completion of a 120-kilowatt solar installation on the roof of the Dayton Daily News distribution center. It is the largest commercial solar installation in southwest Ohio and will meet approximately 60 percent of the building’s electricity needs.

The installation consists of 528 SCHOTT POLY 225 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. SCHOTT Solar manufactures its PV solar panels at its Albuquerque, NM facility and employs more than 300 American workers. Kastle Solar & Wind is part of Kastle Electric, one of Ohio’s leading electrical contractors for the past 80 years. Kastle completed installing the SCHOTT PV panels in five weeks and utilized local electricians.

“We commend the Dayton Daily News for their investment in clean renewable energy that will help diversify our electricity supply, reduce our dependence on coal-fired electricity, help to clean up our environment, and strengthen our local economy,” said Foley.

“SCHOTT Solar is committed to building a strong U.S. solar industry that creates American jobs from the manufacturing of the panels to their installation,” said Tom Hecht, executive vice president of sales and marketing at SCHOTT Solar PV, Inc. “It’s our privilege to work with partners like Kastle, who match their history of excellence in the electrical world with the quality of SCHOTT solar panels to deliver cost-effective, reliable solutions for customers.”

“We see tremendous opportunities for commercial customers like the Dayton Daily News to save money on their electric bills by installing clean, reliable solar.” said Mark Wiley, president of Kastle Solar & Wind. “That potential is what will help us grow our business and help build a robust solar industry in Southwest Ohio.”

This is Kastle’s largest project to date after entering the solar industry in January 2010. The company partners with Sol Ventus Partners, LLC, who provides project financing, and together they have two projects starting later this year to install solar panels in Adams County. Each project will be a 300KW installation on the roofs of two schools in the Adams County/Ohio Valley School District.