Silicon Energy's new multi-million dollar solar PV manufacturing plant in Mountain Iron, Minnesota is starting 2012 with a series of noteworthy local installations that demonstrate its unique, versatile and increasingly popular Cascade PV System.

A manufacturer of world-class solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, Silicon Energy's one-of-a-kind design features glass-on-glass construction and a customizable-colored frame that safely encloses all the system's wiring for a variety of installation opportunities - from traditional rooftop to light-filtering awnings, patios or shelters to semi-private windows.

The company's first local installations of the year include a custom-colored rooftop installation in Edina and a combined rooftop and pergola installation in St. Paul - both installed by Powerfully Green, a Minneapolis and St. Paul NABCEP Certified Solar Installer. Silicon Energy partners with more than two dozen factory-trained local installers in Minnesota.

One Edina homeowner who considers this a 'green investment', chose to maintain the design aesthetic of his building with Silicon Energy's custom-colored mounting system in black to better match its roof shingle and provide contrast to its deep red paint color.

Using thirty 190 watt modules, totaling 5.7 kW, this photovoltaic rooftop installation on the homeowner's garage is expected to provide 50-75% of the home's overall electricity use. Benefitting from the steep pitch of this roof, the solar modules will quickly shed snow and debris, allowing optimal system performance. The homeowners also planned for a future plug-in electric vehicle, adding a 240 volt sub-panel in the garage to provide its fuel - electricity.

Another homeowner located in St. Paul chose a combined rooftop and pergola installation to gain more solar production. Using 14 190-watt solar Silicon Energy modules, totaling 2.66kW, this installation is expected to provide 50-100% of the homeowner's annual electrical demand and is accompanied by a monitoring system that displays solar production levels and the household's consumption of energy.

Along with harnessing the sun's rays for energy, the Pergola installation of the Silicon Energy system provides cover over a second-floor deck for light-filtering shelter from the weather - rain, snow and sun.

Also in St. Paul, another homeowner was interested in reducing their carbon footprint and fascinated by the idea of being able to watch their electricity meter turn backwards.

The couple sought to defray 100% of their annual electricity consumption and chose Silicon Energy for its durability and slick, low profile aesthetic. Installing 12 - 190 watt (2.28 kW) Silicon Energy modules on the roof of their garage, the homeowners expect a 10-12 year payback but anticipate quicker repayment based on rising electric prices.

Silicon Energy's plant is part of the City of Mountain Iron's Renewable Energy Park, a new site dedicated to the development and promotion of businesses that specialize in sustainable and renewable energy. The plant employs 15 local people and is projected to continue to grow as commercial and residential demand for high-quality, locally-made solar PV systems increases.

The energy-efficient plant features top-of-the-line equipment for manufacturing the PV modules in a non-toxic and safe environment, and strategic window placement for increased use of natural lighting. The Silicon Energy plant is also planning to offset a portion of its energy consumption through the use of its own PV modules.

"Rising energy costs, nationwide incentives and increased awareness of the powerful return solar is providing is driving demand for domestically-made products like ours that perform exceptionally, and are durable, safe and versatile," said Gary Shaver, president of Silicon Energy.

"We are excited to begin 2012 with such strength and strive to continue to demonstrate the ability for solar to become a mainstream energy source and economic benefit for the region and the nation."