Four websites that each focus its content on sources of alternative energy have published an article from geoAMPS on its software solutions to help continue the growth of the solar power industry.
The article has appeared in Renewable Energy World, The Energy Collective, Alternative Energy eMagazine and Daily Energy Report.
On Daily Energy Report, the article has been listed among the website's most popular posts.
In 2013, installations of solar panels reached a record 5.1 gigawatts, increasing the national total to nearly 13 gigawatts. That is enough to power nearly 2.2 million American homes. And, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar power installations are expected to grow for the foreseeable future.
The geoAMPS article cites to primary reasons for this increase. One reason is the substantial drop in solar panels in recent years. Prices have fallen more than 75 percent since 2008.
Another reason is the development of new technology, such as software developed by geoAMPS, which improves efficiency, especially in the development and ongoing operation of utility-scale solar panel fields.
geoAMPS, a technology company in the Columbus, OH area, offers software products that streamline the process of obtaining right of way to develop and large solar panel field.
altAMPS is one in the product line developed by geoAMPS. This powerful, intuitive software was tailor-made for solar and other renewable energy projects. It enhances efficiencies through each phase of development, construction and ongoing operation. The software is a paperless, comprehensive solution for end-to-end management of new or existing renewable energy projects.
altAMPS is filled with time-saving tools, such as lease management, meteorological tower management, royalty payment calculator, bulk update, automatic reminders, payment tracker and scheduler, workflow and import-export capabilities, all of which make this powerful software invaluable for companies involved in renewable energy.
altAMPS’ robust and configurable framework provides compressed sequence times and complies with each organization’s unique business processes. With the added ability to access information through mobile applications, detached tools, geographic information system (GIS) maps and smart devices, altAMPS delivers process efficiency, error elimination and measured cost savings.
Utility-scale solar energy considerations include environmental issues, such as land disturbance; and impacts to land use, specially designated areas, impacts to soil, water and air, vegetation, and wildlife. While solar power facilities reduce the environmental impacts of combustion used in fossil-fuel power generation, there are some adverse impacts associated with utility-scale solar facilities.
For example, large solar panel fields require large areas for solar radiation collection. Such facilities can interfere with existing land uses, such as grazing, wild horse management and minerals production. Construction of these facilities requires the clearing and grading of large areas, which can result in soil compaction, alteration of drainage channels and increased erosion. There can be ecological impacts, such as adverse impacts on wildlife and interference with rainfall and drainage. Cultural and paleontological artifacts and cultural landscapes may be disturbed.
GIS mapping, available with altAMPS, provides essential information on the project area. Developers gain data on each parcel, including ownership and other title information. GIS reveals necessary information about topography, existing infrastructure, existing utilities, land use and environmental assessments. Planners can review and monitor the project area through color-coded maps and layers that provide 3-D visualization.
By providing an integrated geospatial view of an organization’s planned utility-scale solar panel field, GIS helps facilitate the siting of such a project, as well as its development and ongoing operation.
Visit the geoAMPS website, www.geoamps.com or call 614-389-4871 to discover how geoAMPS products and services can help advance solar energy projects.
Dan Liggett is Communications and Public Relations Manager for geoAMPS, a technology company in the Columbus, OH area that specializes in software solutions to manage land rights and infrastructure assets.
