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Economic and dam related articles

Powerful Solar Irrigation Systems

by Business Wire
Business Wire - August 14, 2002

Company's Hybrid "AquaMax(TM) 2200" Will Drive 50 HP Irrigation Pump
for the D.T Locke Ranch in Fertile San Joaquin Valley....
First and Only Solar Pumping System Powerful Enough to Operate 600 HP Motors.

PENNINGTON, N.J.-- WorldWater Corp. announced today it has broken new ground for the world solar industry by signing the first contract to supply powerful solar irrigation pumps to the California agriculture market.

The company's hybrid solar water pumping system, "AquaMax(TM) 2002", will begin operating on the D.T. Locke Ranch in Firebaugh, California this fall following signatures by rancher Daneward Locke and Chairman and CEO Quentin T. Kelly of WorldWater Corp., manufacturer and marketer of the proprietary high volume system.

This first system will drive a 50 hp motor for irrigation and some lighting and is being purchased from WorldWater for $287,000, with the buyer then benefiting from a rebate from PG&E, the utility company, and availability of tax credits from the State of California and the Federal Government, Mr. Kelly said. The hybrid "AquaMax(TM)" can run pumps up to 600 hp, he added, and will supply that power alone or as a hybrid in automatic combination with the electric grid or with diesel generators. WorldWater can now arrange turnkey financing for the farmers through a lease-to-purchase program, he said.

"This is a very important development in many ways - technologically, economically, environmentally - because it opens a vast new market for these high energy solar products supplying a high energy-demanding industry," said Mr. Kelly. "California's requirements for agricultural power are enormous, but until now, with this proprietary WorldWater system, solar could not play a serious role. "AquaMax(TM)" offers a whole new approach and a significant change in the economics and air quality of irrigation and power pumping for farms, ranches, wineries, dairy and cattle farms and water districts."

A model of a similar system will be demonstrated at the California State Fair Farm Demo Exhibit in Sacramento from August 16 to September 2.

The Locke farm is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, which contributes approximately 50% of vegetables and fruits supplied in the U.S. Mr. Kelly said his company is currently in negotiations with several other farmers, wineries and water districts in the region.

Related Sites:
WorldWater Corp


Business Wire
Powerful Solar Irrigation Systems
Business Wire August 14, 2002

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