Oct 29 2010
Officials of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have unveiled a 1.1 MW solar energy solution that will aid the campus to meet its objective of attaining 1.3 MW by 2010. The new 4,500-panel system is likely to produce nearly 1,646,668 kW-h of clean energy in the initial period of operation. The system will also eradicate around 1150 metric tons of CO2.
The officials stated that the solar energy project was realized because of a power purchase contract with Suntech and Perpetual Energy Systems for the solar panels. Caltech, after a 20 year contract, will have the choice to deploy newer technology, buy the existing system, or remove it.
Solar Panel
Perpetual’s Senior VP of business development, Michael Streams stated that $11 million was spent by the company for the solar energy project. The company also owns the solar energy system. The Solar Incentive Program of Pasadena was also a vital element for the project deployment. Pasadena’s program manager for PWD, Mauricio Mejia added that the solar initiative of Pasadena offers refunds to customers and would cover nearly one-third of the solar project’s expense.
Suntech’s Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Beebe stated that the project needed a lot of vision and dedication and both Caltech and the city have a lot of commitment. Beebe added that introducing firms such as Swinerton to the project enabled jobs to be completed safely and swiftly. Representatives of Swinerton informed that the Caltech project’s construction averaged nearly 20 workers each day and took approximately 60 days.