DST Output, a communications delivery company, has completed a large 3.15-acre solar project at its production plant located in El Dorado Hills, California. The company has deployed a new solar array on the rooftop of its El Dorado Hills facility, which is anticipated to generate 1.4 million kWh of electricity per year.
This is equivalent to the power used for burning 1,500 units of 100 W light bulbs annually. The solar project is estimated to reduce 27,398 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) all through its 25-year lifetime. The amount of carbon dioxide reduced is equivalent to planting approximately 140,000 trees.
DST Output’s Systems Support Director, Dave Smart noted that the solar installation demonstrates the company’s commitment to be greener and to minimize its carbon footprint in the society.
The solar array design used for the project is unique, as it employs cylindrical solar collectors compared to standard flat panels. This enables the sun to spin around the cylinders, thus eliminating solar tracking required for flat panels. The system design efficiently captures sunlight across a 360° photovoltaic surface.
DST Output has planned to enter into a Net Energy metering contract with PG&E to deliver the energy produced during the hottest period of the day back to the power grid. It is an energy efficient and environmentally friendly project for the company and is also a valuable source of energy for the region, Dave Smart concluded.