Shining a Light on Solar

Inter-Global Exhibitions (IGE), Denver, a company that specializes in tradeshow-exhibit design and fabrication, designed and built, together with Xcel Energy, the main outdoor sign display for the new Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC) in Aurora, CO, the largest test facility for solar technologies in the U.S. The center provides a location for research, demonstrations, testing and validating solar technologies at the early commercial, or near-commercial, development stage.

The 14-ft.-high sign is entirely lit by LED technology during the night from the SolarTAC solar-energy system. The frame comprises aluminum, metal and wood and stone finishes.

SolarTAC originated when six public and private sector entities — Abengoa Solar, the City of Aurora, the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, Midwest Research Institute (MRI), SunEdison, and Xcel Energy — joined forces to build a site where member companies can bring their early commercial or near-commercial stage solar technologies for testing and demonstration under actual field conditions. The 74-acre site, located near the Denver Intl Airport, receives an average 300 days of sunshine a year.