Energy installed 24 180kW panels in conjunction with CPS Energy in Balcones Heights, Texas.
San Antonio, TX, August 09, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Commercial solar has arrived in Balcones Heights. On August 5, 2008, San Antonio’s CPS Energy flipped the switch on for a commercial building’s array of solar panels installed by Novastar Energy. The panels were placed at 123 Altgelt Avenue, up Fredericksburg Road in Balcones Heights. The building, formerly the Balcones Heights Municipal Building, is owned by Mr. Michael Slay and Mrs. Madeline Slay, housing their respective companies Slay Engineering Company, Inc., and Madeline Anz Slay Architecture, PLLC.
On site for the activation were a half-dozen CPS Energy representatives receiving tips and guidance for commercial-grade solar generation. The CPS teams were led by Matt Haecker of Customer Solutions and Delivery, Mike Ward of Electrical Metering & Service Standards, and Mike Wheiles of Northwest Service District. Financially, CPS assisted the installation by giving a ten thousand dollars as a customer rebate. The investment in the panels will also generate thousands in tax savings for the Slays through the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The solar array faces southeast above the building. The system has a nameplate capacity of 4kW. The panels were purchased through Aaron Geer of Novastar Energy. Novastar’s managing partner Dustin Aubrey oversaw the installation and running of conduits, with consultation provided by G.W. Anz Construction Company. Josh Harris was Project Manager for Novastar, as was Adam Soorholtz for Slay. All parties involved are very pleased that this supports the smart urban renewal program that is under development for the Balcones Heights municipality. Balcones Heights aims to re-engineer itself through mobility and energy enhancements to meet changing lifestyle needs of the 21st century.

Madeline Anz Slay, who received a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree from Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture in 1991, has received the ATHENA Young Professional Award from the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

Slay is the owner of Madeline Anz Slay Architecture, PLLC, a full-service architecture firm based in San Antonio, providing services for civic, commercial, educational, residential, retail, and medical clients.

Since its establishment in 2000, the firm has grown to employ two fulltime architects, four architectural interns, one fulltime project manager, one fulltime construction coordinator and two fulltime administrative staff members.

Slay was chosen from eight nominees for the award, which honors an individual who “demonstrates excellence, creativity, and initiative in their business or profession, provides valuable service by contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and actively assist women in realizing their full leadership potential,” states the nomination criteria.

She received the award June 20 at a ceremony at the San Antonio Airport Hilton.

A member of the American Institute of Architects, Slay served on the AIA board of directors from 1996-2007 and was the host chapter’s co-chairwoman for the AIA 2007 national convention in San Antonio.

She is also a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners and is currently serving on the association’s board of directors.

Slay has directed numerous committees while serving on the AIA and NAWBO boards and is a founding member of Women in Design, a mentoring arm of the AIA San Antonio chapter.

She is involved with the community through such mentoring programs as “Income of Her Own” as a facilitator, and is on the city of San Antonio’s Development Services Committee. She has also been a mentor at John Jay High School, Northside ISD, and the Northeast ISD’s Design and Technology Academy.

Slay provides financial resources and time commitments to many charities including Visitation House Ministries, Birthright, Nino’s-SA, and the Good Shepherd Women’s Shelter and St. Peter – St. Joseph Children’s Home, where she is serving a four-year term as a member of the governing board.

She was selected to be part of the prestigious Greater Chamber’s Leadership San Antonio Class of 2003, and was recognized as a finalist for the 2003 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award and the 2004 and 2005 North Chamber’s Small Business Leadership Award for Business Achievement.

Slay, whose firm the San Antonio Business Journal recognized as a Fast Track business in 2004, received a 2004 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners.