Currents

An Energy Newsletter for Local Governments

Large Local Government PV Projects

The City of Fresno and Butte County are set to install large photovoltaic projects that will save them millions of dollars over the systems' life times.

Fresno will install 665 kilowatts of PV on several canopies at its Municipal Service Center. Combined with energy efficiency upgrades to lighting, heating and cooling systems, the project's total cost is $4.725 million. It will be paid for with a $2.062 million rebate for the panels and a low interest loan from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The 15-year loan will be repaid from utility bill savings. The system will be installed by PowerLight Corp, and is expected to be operating by Spring 2004.

Butte County awarded an $8.4 million contract to Sun Power & Geothermal Energy, Inc. to design and build a one-megawatt solar system for the Butte County Center. The system is expected to provide 100% of the power for three County buildings, and consists of ground-mounted, rooftop and parking shade structure arrays. As with Fresno, the County will receive a 50% rebate on the panels which are expected to start producing electricity in June.

The Second Edition of the CEC's Emerging Renewables Program Guidebook (adopted December 17, 2003, publication # 500-03-001F) is now available. Please go to: http://www.energy.ca.gov/renewables/documents/

For information on the Self-Generation Incentive Program visit:

Pacific Gas & Electric:
http://www.pge.com/suppliers_purchasing/new_generator/incentive/index.html

Southern California Edison:
http://www.sce.com/sc3/002_save_energy/002d3_sgip/default.htm

San Diego Gas & Electric:
http://www.sdge.com/business/incentive_programs.shtml#self

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