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EMC Engineers and Bella Energy Install Solar Energy Systems on Remote, Lower Income Schools in Southern Colorado
 
San Luis Valley Students Learn as They Monitor Systems Online 



Louisville, CO 2008 - EMC Engineers and Bella Energy provided solar electric systems and on-line data monitoring systems for Guadalupe Elementary and Antonito High School in sunny San Luis Valley. While the systems reduce the schools' electricity bills, they also educate students about renewable energy using a monitoring system accessible online at Solar Schoolhouse.

The students can analyze and compare their energy production to other schools around the country. The 7 kilowatt ballasted system on the elementary school has a weather station that feeds production and usage data to a Fat Spaniel monitoring program. Bella Energy installed monitoring equipment for the 5 kilowatt system on the high school that ties directly into the building's automated system.
 
 "We should all be doing our part to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and solar energy is the way to go down here," says Virgil Montoya, Maintenance Director at Guadalupe Elementary School. "As a school we want to set an example to the community and hopefully inspire them to install solar on their own houses. It's easy. Once a solar system is installed it really takes care of itself."
 
The San Luis Valley has the strongest solar resource in the state. Plentiful high altitude sunshine is perfect for solar energy production and the area is already tied to Denver through the utility grid so power easily reaches consumers. In fact, one industrial solar power plant is already operating in this solar harvest valley, and several more are planned in the next few years. 
 
Bella Energy partnered with EMC Engineers, which operates energy efficiency programs for the San Luis Valley school district. EMC arranged for a grant to pay for efficiency renovations, including the solar systems. Electricity bills should decrease $60 per month at the high school and $80 per month at the elementary school.
 
Bella Energy Project Manager Andy Hoke says "Bella Energy hopes the Antonito kids will grow up excited about renewable energy, especially since they have a lot of sunshine to harvest in the San Luis Valley!"

Bella Energy is a Colorado solar energy company engaged in the designing and contracting of renewable energy and energy conservation projects throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region. Since 1982, they have been empowering individuals, businesses and communities to achieve energy independence, embrace a sustainable future, and contribute to a clean energy economy. 

EMC Ranked 37 on “Hot Firms 2008” List

E M C Engineers, Inc. was recently ranked #37 on The Zweig Letter “Hot Firm 2008” list. The list ranks the top 200 fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms in the United States and Canada. Rankings are determined based on a firm’s dollar growth and percentage growth from 2004 to 2007.

Since The Zweig Letter started the Hot Firms list in 2000, hundreds of large and small firms have competed for this honor. To qualify for consideration for the 2008 list, firms must have been in business since January 1, 2004; have had 2004 gross revenues of at least $1 million; be based in the U.S. or Canada; and derive the majority of their revenue “from the practice of architecture, engineering, planning, environmental consulting, design and construction, or allied disciplines.”

From 2004 to 2007, EMC has increased its gross revenues 180%, which EMC President Eric Young attributes to being responsive to the marketplace. “Right now there is a strong desire and need for green and sustainable building solutions as well as commissioning and energy services performance contracting,” Young said. “These services have been at the core of EMC’s mission for 32 years. With this focus and our highly energetic, capable, and enthusiastic staff, we are perfectly positioned  to support this tremendous growth now and into the future.”

EMC is proud of joining The Zweig Letter’s impressive list of fastest-growing firms and looks forward to continued growth.  

EMC wins ACEC Colorado Engineering Excellence Award

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Colorado recently presented E M C Engineers, Inc.  with an Honor Award  for its Energy Services Performance Contracting  services for Manitou Springs School District 14 in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

The ACEC/CO Engineering Excellence Awards celebrate engineering achievements that demonstrate ingenuity and include significant technical, economic or social advancements. Award submissions represent categories ranging from research and studies to structural systems, transportation, and special projects. Entries are judged by a diverse group of local business, media, and industry representatives.

For Manitou Springs School District 14, EMC performed a technical energy audit that assessed the District’s energy usage, costs, and systems. EMC then provided a package of energy efficiency measures (EEMs) that reduced the District’s energy, maintenance, and capital improvement costs and improved the comfort and working environment in the buildings.  In fact, the District is now saving more electricity and natural gas than was predicted by EMC. 

EMC Engineers, Inc. continues to grow its capacity for creating high-performance buildings and energy conservation solutions with the addition of Erik Jeannette, P.E., and Jessica Lorentz to its engineering staff.

"Erik and Jessica bring additional depth in service capability and experience to our team of specialists," said Don Davenport, Executive Vice President at EMC.  "We're very excited about being able to provide this additional level of competence and expertise to our valued clients."