Solar panels to power a California jail
The solar power system will meet 70 percent of the jail's energy needs, and save nearly $14 million in electricity costs over 25 years.
By EarthTechlingTue, Dec 27 2011 at 12:26 PM EST
Photo: U.S. Army Environmental Command/Flickr
As California deals with overcrowding in its state prison system by transferring low-level offenders to county correctional facilities, one municipality has found a way to cut costs without cutting services while also helping the state meet its renewable energy goals. Merced County has recently announced that it has commissioned a 1.4-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) array to power the county’s correctional facilities in El Nido, Calif.
The system, developed and installed by Siemens, will generate enough electricity to meet approximately 70 percent of the facilities’ peak electricity consumption, and offset its entire annual consumption.
The system consists of two triangular-shaped arrays, for a total of 6,272 solar panels ground-mounted on 4.5 acres next to the John Latorraca Correctional Facility and the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex. Siemens also upgraded the complex’s lighting systems to make the facility more energy-efficient and improve the economics of the entire project. Money saved by the project will be deposited in a fund used to support other capital improvements, including planned energy efficiency upgrades at all county facilities.
According to project planners, the county will benefit from nearly $1.6 million over five years in solar incentive payments, and save nearly $14 million in electricity costs over 25 years. Merced County and Siemens partnered with local businesses to complete the project, including Collins Electric, Suntrek, Phase One Construction and Volvo Rents.
Overall, the project planners have estimated that the project will result in a total positive cash flow to Merced County of nearly $9 million over 25 years.
“We are thrilled to be turning on a new era of sustainability for Merced County citizens. I think all will agree we have made a solid investment that will yield tremendous fiscal and environmental benefits to the county and its citizens for decades to come,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman John Pedrozo. “The economics of the system could not be better.”
This article originally appeared on EarthTechling and was reprinted here with permission.
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Comments
Paul Felix Schott
12/27/2011 19:43 PM
Our SUN in the heavens above gives the Earth enough Solar Energy to power all are needs.
Very soon most of the world will not need Oil. Renewable Energy like Solar, Wind, Hydro and Geothermal are now replacing dirty Energy like Oil and Coal. Solar Energy is growing World Wide at a record pace.
Hybrid Cars are being sold at a record pace. Soon Hybrid Vehicles that run on Electric / Hydrogen, The Freedom Element. Will free the world from Oil. Thanks to a Great Scientist Dr..... More
