Tune In To Your Planet tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008-02-06://18 2008-07-31T23:04:33Z Movable Type Personal 4.1 Up and Running! tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.455 2008-07-31T23:00:51Z 2008-07-31T23:04:33Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450 Solar_28July.jpg
Good news!  The work at the KGO site is nearing completion.  PG&E has inspected the installation, and given their approval.  Both systems, from SolFocus and Premier Power, are now operating.  The engineers from SolFocus are continuing to monitor their "tracking" system, and making small adjustments. 

By the end of this week, Joe Talbot and I expect to have a walk-through and briefing on the system from SolFocus.  There is still some construction debris at the site that needs to be cleaned up before we are ready for "official" start-up.

]]> Stay Tuned! tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.451 2008-06-17T20:27:39Z 2008-06-17T20:51:21Z It was a long wait for everything to come together, but after lots of hard work last week the SolFocus solar arrays are assembled and in place. This week we're expecting to begin test runs of the equipment and have... Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450

KGO_Solar-022-1.jpg 
Installing electrical equipment to collect and manage the electricity the SolFocus arrays generate.

KGO_Solar-049-1.jpgPlacing the pre-assembled solar panels on grids, mounted on a rotating base that allows the panels to follow the sun.


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The crew offers guidance as a crane lifts the panel assembly into position.



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Once the panel's in position, the crew gets to work making it secure and connecting the wiring.

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Ready to catch a few rays and put them to good use.

Chief Engineer Joe Talbot was on site yesterday for the installation of the webcam, weather station and remote monitoring, and reports that after the long delays the project is now moving along very fast. We'll have lots more news in the next few days.

]]> Major Progress! tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.449 2008-04-23T19:34:52Z 2008-04-23T19:39:44Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450
electricians4-22.jpg

(The diesel generator is noisy, hence the ear protection the electricians are wearing in the photo.)

This is a delicate operation, and Chief Engineer Joe Talbot was on hand to make sure we didn't lose power and go off the air.  Fortunately, Joe reports, "It was flawless and took less time than expected."

With this work completed, there will be no future interruptions to our PG&E service when the two solar systems are placed on line.

And in other good news, work on the SolFocus system is scheduled to resume next week.

]]> What's the Delay? tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.448 2008-04-22T00:00:51Z 2008-04-22T00:14:37Z In launching KGO's solar initiative, we wanted to make use of readily available technology, but we also wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to be pioneers in exploring the benefits of emerging products -- i.e. the new solar tracking... Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450
This technology offers two advantages not available in today's mainstream products: its CPV (concentrated photovoltaic) panels use innovative optics to concentrate the sun's rays for maximum energy generation. In addition, the panels are mounted on dual-axis trackers that allow the panels -- like much of the plant world -- to follow the sun as it moves across the sky during the day. This means that unlike traditional fixed panels, the SolFocus panels are positioned for the best possible energy generation during all daylight hours.

solfocuspanel.jpg
As is common with new technology, unexpected delays have come up in our SolFocus installation.  Nancy  Hartsoch of SolFocus explains:


"Some very recent upgrades to our solar tracking technology have caused a slight delay in the installation of the SolFocus CPV panels at KGO's transmitter site. However, there is no doubt it will be worth the wait! The new technology, developed in Spain and custom-designed for us, allows us to track the sun more accurately, resulting in a more efficient, effective and long-lived system.  The significance of this project demands that we 'get it right' and use the best technology available.  Stay tuned..."

While delays are always unfortunate, we agree that in this case the time is well spent to ensure better performance -- and additional knowledge -- once our SolFocus installation is up and running. We'll keep you informed as things develop.

]]> Progress Report tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.446 2008-03-25T22:39:06Z 2008-03-25T23:00:59Z The electricians have been working on wiring from the Premier Power panels (the conventional panels already in place). All of this work now appears to be complete.We've encountered delays with the SolFocus installation, for which contractors built concrete pads earlier... Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450
wiringinplace.jpgWe've encountered delays with the SolFocus installation, for which contractors built concrete pads earlier this month. More as it happens; meanwhile,  the contractors have removed the forms from the concrete pads, and filled and graded the area.

solfocuspads.jpg

]]> Watch This Space... tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.442 2008-03-06T17:19:12Z 2008-03-06T17:28:41Z A new landmark on your morning commute... While waiting for the concrete foundations for the SolFocus installation to cure, we've spotlighted the work in progress with a sign on the freeway side.... Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450
Solar_Sign-002.jpg

]]> Foundations in Place, Project on Schedule tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.439 2008-02-29T15:32:56Z 2008-02-29T15:46:54Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450 pouringmoreconcrete.jpg
With the weather delay and the design changes to the pedestal foundations behind us, it looks like the work is on schedule. The newly poured concrete will require several days to cure, a process that should be complete by early next week.
solfocusfoundation.jpg 

As soon as the concrete foundations are ready, three 9-foot tall pedestals will be mounted on them, using a crane to lift them in place.  These pedestals will hold the "tracking" panels for the SolFocus system, which follows the movement of the sun during the day.


]]> Wiring the Panels tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.437 2008-02-28T00:22:14Z 2008-02-29T15:43:38Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450 On Monday, work continued on the foundation forms.  Tuesday, the  foundation forms were completed.  The ground is beginning to dry, and the second concrete pour is scheduled for today, Wednesday. 

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Also on Tuesday,  electricians were working on wiring for the solar panels on the west side of the building.

panelswired.jpg



]]> Friday - More Foundations tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.435 2008-02-26T00:45:23Z 2008-02-29T15:44:50Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450 rebar.jpgOn Friday, work continued on foundation forms at the south side of the building.  When these forms are completed, more concrete will be poured.
moreforms.jpg


]]> Working Between Storms tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.432 2008-02-22T22:41:32Z 2008-02-22T23:21:45Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450 buildingforms.jpg
There was no work at the site on Wednesday. The contractors say that it may take several days for the new concrete foundations to cure, depending on the weather.

rebarinrain.jpgThe crew was back yesterday.  They worked on rebar and forms for the foundations on the south side of the building.  This is in preparation for pouring a second layer of concrete.  Due to the very soft soil, and high water table,  the design of two (of the three) foundations was revised to require two layers of concrete.

moreconcretedrying.jpg

]]> Pouring in the Rain tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.429 2008-02-20T02:18:18Z 2008-02-20T02:28:10Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450 contractorsmud.jpgIt's Tuesday, and the rain has returned.  Not heavy, but just enough to make working outdoors miserable.

mud.jpgThe contractors finished excavation for two foundations on the south side of the building (facing the freeway).  By midday, they began to pour concrete.  This will need to set for two to three days. 

muddyconcrete.jpgTomorrow, they will continue work on the third foundation. ]]> Working on the Holiday! tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.428 2008-02-19T01:56:55Z 2008-02-20T02:12:19Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450

panels1.jpgOn Monday, 2/18, the contractors were back at work.  They installed the solar panels on the west side of the building, and continued foundation work on the south side.
 ]]> Work Will Resume Monday tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.425 2008-02-16T01:44:53Z 2008-02-16T01:48:33Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450 freewayside.jpgNo work again today. 

The contractors have confirmed that they will be back on Monday to start foundation work on the south side of the building.  This work will take about a week, as it will be done in two stages.  There will be two concrete pours; the first pour must set for three days. ]]> Soil Conditions Cause Design Change tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.422 2008-02-13T22:44:52Z 2008-02-13T22:49:42Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450 truck-mud.jpg
No work on the project today. 

The concrete foundation for the solar panels on the west side of the building is complete, but the foundations on the freeway (south) side of the building have not been started.  After initial excavation, it was found that the soil conditions required a different design.  That design has been completed, and work will resume early next week.

]]> Waiting for Concrete to Dry tag:dynamic.kgo.com,2008://18.421 2008-02-13T00:21:36Z 2008-02-13T22:53:20Z Art Lebermann http://www.kgoam810.com//Article.asp?id=582450 No work at the site today.  Yesterday, the contractors removed the forms from the concrete foundations; today, they're waiting for the concrete to cure.

concretedrying.jpg
Meanwhile, here's a picture of the KGO transmitter building and tower, taken from the freeway near the Dumbarton Bridge.

kgodumbarton.jpg


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