In celebration of SolarCity generating one billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity*, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite commercial solar projects that have helped us reach this milestone.
Best Use of Solar Savings: Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District – Fresno, California
With its solar savings,Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District was able to restore their music instruction program, which had been suspended since 2009 due to lack of funding. Thanks to the millions the district will save over the life of the installations, solar power is music to the ears of teachers and parents for saving priceless education opportunities for their children.
Scope: Three project sites for a total of more than 900 kilowatts of solar - Las Deltas USD High School, Firebaugh Middle School and Hazel Bailey Elementary School.
Most Green on Green Action: Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority – Calabasas, California
Not only has Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority been active in promoting the use of recycled water, it now uses a renewable source of energy to power the supply of recycled water to nearby communities.
The precious recycled water resources will be used to irrigate community green spaces, school grounds, commercial landscapes and golf courses. Even more, switching to solar power from traditional forms of energy generation such as coal or natural gas also helps save millions of gallons of fresh water each year.
Scope:One commercial system totaling more than a megawatt of ground-mounted solar with tracking systems.
Dirty Energy Offset Royalty: Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) – Koloa, Kaua’i.
KIUC’s project will consist of more than 54,000 solar panels installed on 67 acres. Once complete, the system is expected to generate enough power to provide approximately six percent of Kaua’i’s daily energy needs and is expected to reduce the utility’s oil imports by more than 1 million barrels over its lifetime.
Scope: A giant 14 megawatt ground mount commercial solar project.
Most Trailblazing: Davis Monthan Air Force Base – Tuscon, Arizona
This mega project is one of the largest solar-powered residential communities in the continental U.S.
2.7MW of rooftop solar systems were installed on over 900 residences on the base, and a 45,000 panel ground-mounted system adds another 3.3 megawatts of solar capacity to the community, This was the first project of the SolarStrong initiative, a program which intended to allow privatized military housing developers to save money on energy costs that can be reallocated toward quality of life improvements and enhanced services for military families.
Scope:Six megawatts of total solar capacity through ground-mounted photovoltaic systems and rooftop solar panels installed on hundreds of residences throughout the community.
What commercial solar power project stands out to you? We want to hear your feedback in the comments section!
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