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O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 7 www.resourceworld.com 67 GREEN TECHNOLOGIES Inc. [PIF-TSX], has become one of the largest renewable energy producers in Nicaragua. It operates and owns the San Jacinto-Tizate Geothermal Project, with an installed capacity of 77 megawatts (MW) (72 MW net). PENSA is also negotiating, and expects to finalize plans in 2017 for the Casita Project located in northwest Nicaragua. The company has proven the Casita resource viability to a depth of 842 metres. The temperature results obtained, and the permeability found to date, show that the location has the characteristics of a com- mercial resource, and this data allowed the company to obtain an exploitation con- cession from the Nicaraguan Ministry of Energy and Mines. PENSA is further exploring in Telica-El Ñajo, which includes most of the Telica volcanic complex, the Tipitapa Project, which is in the pre-feasibility stage, and in the mountain range between Masaya, Granada, and Nandaime, the cities that form a triangle in southeastern Nicaragua. This triangle includes three major volcanic centres. The CEO of the Nicaraguan State Electricity Company (Enel), Ernesto Martinez Tiffer, said that Nicaragua pro- duces 152 MW of installed capacity in two geothermal fields within the national grid. He explained that this developed geo- thermal energy is 10% of a total of 1,500 MW estimated potential, and the plan is to grow this energy production up to 50% in the medium term. "We believe that the basis of Nicaragua energy, the immense potential that exists, must be geothermal, and it is there we are going," he said. Using their geothermal resources, Nicaragua plans to replace the energy generated from oil derivatives with geothermal energy in 25 years. OFFICE BUILDING GETS COMMERCIAL-SCALE SOLAR POWER Solar Alliance Energy Inc. [SAN-TSXV], with offices in San Diego, California and Vancouver, Canada, has signed an agreement to design and construct an approximately US $3,500,000 commercial solar project in Los Angeles, California. The project, which marks the second commercial-scale solar project for Solar Alliance, comprises a rooftop solar instal- lation and a carport solar installation at a Los Angeles mid-rise, multi-tenant office building. The Solar Alliance team analyzed the building owner's needs, operational requirements and utility use to develop a custom solar system that, according to the company, will offset more than 75% of their annual electricity requirements. "Solar Alliance has taken a prudent, professional approach to the development of our commercial division and this agree- ment is the result of many months of work," said Chairman and CEO, Jason Bak. "We are committed to building relationships with commercial property owners and developers in order to illustrate the financial benefits of solar. This project will save the build- ing owners an estimated US $20,000,000 in electricity costs over the life of system and it illustrates the exciting growth prospects for Solar Alliance in the virtually untapped commercial solar sector." The next development stage is to complete a final feasibility study and grid connection appli- cation. Solar Alliance expects all necessary agreements and financ- ing options to be completed by the end of September with construction starting before the end of 2017. The US $3,500,000 capital cost is an estimate and will be refined after the feasibility study. "The signing of this commercial solar project agreement comes at a perfect time, as we work our way through the acquisi- tion of Aries Solar, LLC," concluded Bak. "Aries is an established turn-key commer- cial solar energy solution provider with industry experts that focus on engineer- ing, procurement, and construction needs. This commercial project in Los Angeles and the Aries acquisition set the stage for increasing growth in commercial solar sales." The building owner is a large devel- oper and owner of several similar properties in the Los Angeles area. Solar Alliance is a sales, marketing and development company focused on resi- dential, commercial and industrial solar installations has developed wind and solar projects. Since its inception in 2003, Solar Alliance has developed over 360 MW of renewable energy projects and sub- sequently sold them to utilities or large independent power producers, and has installed more than 10,000 residential solar systems in southern California. n A Solar Alliance Energy solar panel installation on a roof top. Source: Solar Alliance Energy Inc.