May 12 2009
Perpetual Energy Systems (PES), comprehensive financier of solar-powered renewable energy systems, and Siemens Transportation Systems (STS), part of the Siemens Mobility Division, announces the activation of a 1.0 megawatt (MW) solar energy installation, the largest privately owned system of its size in the city of Sacramento.
The system, which was activated on December 29, 2008, was built on a parking structure and the roof of a manufacturing/office building at the STS Sacramento facility. The company will host the system for 25 years during which an estimated 36,736,724 kilowatt hours (kWh) AC of green electricity will be generated. More than 5,200 photovoltaic panels, occupying nearly 94,000 square feet, were installed to provide the manufacturing facility with nearly 50 percent of its electricity needs from renewable solar resources.
“Partnering with Siemens Transportation Systems to provide renewable energy for the manufacturing of zero-emission vehicles was a natural fit and an honor for us,” says Mike Maley, president and CEO of PES. “This joint project underscores Siemens’ commitment to solar energy and effectively elevates its role as both an industry leader and a responsible corporate citizen.”
PES combined conventional financing, construction and permanent debt and equity, with the federal energy tax credits program to fund the entire installation without capital investment from STS. As the financier, PES retains ownership of the solar panels as well as the renewable energy certificates and carbon credits determined by the system’s actual kilowatt hour output.
“Using solar energy to power our operations complements our green product portfolio. We produce zero-emission transportation options for people, and we’re doing so using solar power,” stated Oliver Hauck, president & CEO of the Mobility Division of Siemens in the U.S.
During the 25-year contract term, STS will have access to renewable energy at a reduced rate at the facility. Siemens Building Technologies served as the general contractor for the project and MBL and Sons will provide ongoing maintenance and operations for the duration of the agreement.
According to California Energy Commission’s Clean Power Estimator the new 1 MW photovoltaic system will prevent 737 tons of CO2 from being released into the environment each year, the equivalent of removing 7,933 cars from the nation’s roads or planting approximately 200 acres of trees each year.