SunPower to build 1MW solar system for Yolo County, CA

March 18, 2010

The Yolo County Justice Center in Woodland, northern California, is to gain a new one-megawatt solar power system, provided by SunPower Corporation.

The company will design and construct the facility and once complete, Yolo County will own the system and associated clean energy credits.

The project is expected to benefit from clean energy bonds subsidized through the federal Recovery Act, provided by the Bank of America, as well as a 15-year loan from the California Energy Commission.

County General Services Director Ray Groom said the federal stimulus funding and California Energy Commission loan meant Yolo County would face no up-front expenses to build the project.

It should offer a positive cash flow from its first day of operation later this year, Mr Groom added.

He said: “We estimate that savings over the next 25 years will be about $8.8 million, directly benefiting Yolo County residents and businesses. State and federal funding has helped make solar power an easy, affordable means to reduce county operational costs as well as our dependence on fossil fuels.”

SunPower Corp., which has its homebase in California’s San Jose, said the system would be completed by September.

Tracker

Along with the company’s own in-house solar panels, the Yolo County system will use SunPower’s Tracker system, which will allow the panels to follow the sun’s movement during the day.

This would mean a 25% increase in output compared to fixed-panel systems, the company said.

The firm suggested that the environmental benefits of the 1MW array would be equivalent to taking more than 5,700 cars off the roads.

Bill Kelly, managing director at SunPower, said: “Yolo County is using the federal and state funding to save money, create jobs and produce clean energy.

“We are thrilled to be supporting the county with the implementation of SunPower’s proven, high performing technology, ensuring impressive savings for years to come.”