Feb 28 2011
San Diego Gas & Electric and the County of San Diego have launched a solar energy system, which will power around 170 homes every year.
April Heinze, the director of department of general services at County of San Diego, stated that the County Operations Center Parking Structure will feature 24 panels on top of a seven story complex at 5550 Overland Avenue. The structure will not only provide parking shade, but it will also be capable of producing 627000 kwh of power. The parking complex is a part of the green infrastructural initiatives for 2011.
It is estimated that annually the installed system will decrease greenhouse emissions by 376 tons, which corresponds to the planting of over 11,000 trees.
A total of 9 county departments, such as the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Public Works and Park and Recreation will have access to the site. The system will be owned and operated by San Diego Gas and Electric. With a 10 year contract, the space has been leased by the county for more than $60,000.
The county of San Diego is also making way for a 45 kw solar energy system to be installed by spring and a 30 kw solar energy system around summer. With these developments the county will use much less energy along with cleaner air.