BAKERSFIELD, Calif., March 23 (UPI) -- U.S. supermajor Chevron announced that it was testing seven new solar panels at a demonstration site on a former refinery in California.
Chevron announced the launch of Project Brightfield, a test site in Bakersfield, Calif., to evaluate seven emerging photovoltaic technologies for the next generation of solar power.
Des King, president of the Chevron division examining emerging technologies, said the test site gives the company the opportunity to conduct comprehensive studies across a wide spectrum.
"By bringing together seven emerging solar technologies, Project Brightfield represents one of the most comprehensive solar energy tests of its kind and is an innovative approach to evaluating new technologies," said King.
Project Brightfield includes more than 7,000 solar panels situated on an 8-acre site. The combined output is expected to reach 740 kilowatts of electricity that will be used to meet local energy demands.
Chevron will test one crystalline-silicon and six thin-film solar panels at the Bakersfield site.
Project Brightfield is the second test site for renewable power for Chevron. A 16.5-megawatt, 11-turbine wind farm in Wyoming was the first. Chevron plans to examine concentrated solar power at a mining facility in New Mexico at the end of 2010.
