• 862 kW system at Padre Dam's Santee Lakes provides 300 shaded spaces for RV parking; Estimated to generate more than 1.4 million kilowatt hours annually of clean, renewable energy
SANTEE, CA, Feb. 25, 2009 -- The Padre Dam Municipal Water District, a provider of water, waste water, recycled water and recreation services to the eastern suburbs of San Diego, has announced the activation of an 862 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic solar energy system. The zero-emission system hosted at Santee Lakes was deployed through a partnership with Borrego Solar Systems Inc., a leading designer and installer of grid-tied solar electric power systems, and SunEdison, North America's largest solar energy services provider.
The system, hosted by Padre Dam and built by Borrego Solar in less than 100 days, provides 300 shaded parking spaces for RV storage customers at the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. Deployed under a long-term solar power services agreement, SunEdison financed and will maintain the system.
"Our vision is to conserve and protect our natural resources. Santee Lakes is part of that vision. By hosting a solar energy system in the Preserve, Padre Dam is taking another step to protect and improve the local environment," said Allen Carlisle, Director of Park and Recreation, Padre Dam Municipal Water District. "Working with Borrego Solar and SunEdison means that our visitors benefit from an innovative system design that provides shade and allows us to budget around our energy costs."
During the first complete year of operation, the system is estimated to produce more than 1.48 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean solar energy and more than 27 million kWh over 20 years, enough energy to power more than 2,500 homes for one year. Over 20 years of production, the zero-emission system will offset more than an estimated 28.2 million lbs. of carbon dioxide that would have been emitted during the production of electricity from fossil fuels.
"The ongoing commitment from forward-thinking organizations like Padre Dam Municipal Water District is vital to secure the accelerated adoption of solar energy," said Aaron Hall, CEO of Borrego Solar Systems Inc. "We are honored to have been selected by Padre Dam to integrate the system and to work with SunEdison. With the right partners, PV solar energy systems can be deployed quickly. This project is proof."
"SunEdison is proud to have worked closely with Borrego Solar on this innovative project, which benefits the local community and Preserve visitors," said Brian Jacolick, General Manager, Americas, SunEdison. "Today, being environmentally and financially responsible can go hand in hand. Contributing to solar energy generation through system hosting also allows Padre Dam to create long-term savings around a portion of its energy costs."
The solar renewable energy credits (S-RECS) and other environmental attributes generated by this solar facility are owned by a third party, and not by the host, as part of the finance structure for the facility.
The Padre Dam Municipal Water District provides water, wastewater, recycled water and parks and recreation for a service area population of 97,000 in the eastern suburbs of San Diego, California.
Established in 1980, Borrego Solar Systems Inc. is one of the nation's leading designers and installers of commercial, residential and public sector grid-connected solar electric power systems.
Sun Edison LLC provides solar-generated energy at or below current retail utility rates to a broad and diverse client base of commercial, municipal and utility customers.
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