County of Marin Press Release:
The County of Marin Fires Up Solar Powered Electric Plant
Feb. 24, 2004 (San Rafael, CA) –The County of Marin, California announced today that its recently
installed photovoltaic (PV) system is up and producing electric power. A formal
dedication ceremony is scheduled for March 3 in the Frank Lloyd Wright Civic
Center Board Chambers, located at 3501 Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. The
ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m., will include a short presentation on Marin
County's actions and commitment to energy savings and environmental protection
and will feature guest speaker, Dr. Donald Aitken, recipient of the "World
Solar Award" and affiliate faculty member of the Frank Lloyd Wright School
of Architecture. Attendees are invited to tour the PV installation afterwards.
The photovoltaic system, a SunRoof™
FS System, capable of producing up to 89 kilowatts - enough to power up
to 30 homes - was installed on top of the County's General Services Building.
"Our goal is to reduce County generated emissions, power usage and costs
20 percent by 2020," said Board of Supervisors President Steve Kinsey.
During sunny days, the County's solar electric power system can produce more
electricity than the garage complex consumes, allowing the county to receive
a credit for electricity it sends back into the power grid. The annual balance
between electricity produced and consumed is expected to reduce the facility's
electric bill from about $24,000 a year to zero.
The County used RWE
SCHOTT Solar, Inc. of Rocklin, a manufacturer and distributor of solar modules
and systems, and Prevalent
Power, Inc., a Novato-based renewable energy developer (now owned by Suntech Solar), to provide a non-penetrating
flat-roof solar electric power system for the County. The project is a timely
fiscal bright spot in a challenging funding year for the County. The $662,000
project cost is offset by a $324,000 rebate from PG&E's self-generation
incentive program and an exceptionally low interest loan from the California
Energy Commission, which will be repaid entirely with the annual energy
savings from the new system. PG&E Vice President Anlin Ting-Mason said, "The Marin County Board of Supervisors'
leadership and foresight have resulted in a facility that will provide benefits
to the community for decades to come."
Kinsey adds, " In addition to being a remarkable asset to the County Infrastructure
this project is a beacon to other agencies and the public, showing the way to
a more sustainable future."
"As a Marin County-based company specializing in developing real-world
power solutions, it is especially gratifying to contribute to the county's energy
efficiency and generation programs," said Arno Harris, president of Prevalent
Power. "They are a great example of thinking globally and acting locally
and this PV installation does a great job of demonstrating the county's commitment
to its goals."
Marc Roper, director of sales for RWE Schott Solar added, "We are proud
to be a part of the team that is helping Marin County realize its economic and
environmental vision. It is also gratifying to be able to work with our partner,
Prevalent Power, and achieve such good results executing a complicated plan
to deliver excellent products and service to our customer."
SPG Solar Press Release:
Throckmorton Ridge Fire Station Dedicates Solar Energy System and New Facility
Aiming for LEED Gold Certification, Station Setting Green Example for Community
May 17, 2007 (Mill Valley, CA) – The Marin County Fire Department dedicated its new environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art Throckmorton Ridge fire station. The new station features a 38 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system designed and installed by SPG Solar, Inc. of San Rafael, CA. In addition, the station also has a new geothermal system and a host of green building materials.
The station replaces one that has served the department since the mid 1950's to better suit the needs of today's fire service. The station's solar energy system is made up of 232 Kyocera 200-watt modules and ten Fronius IG-4500 inverters and will provide over 40% of the station's annual electricity needs, with an expected production of over 67,000 kWh each year.
With an inspiration to pursue a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, the station also features natural light and ventilation, green carpeting, flooring, insulation and structure steel and the implementation of a waste diversion program during its construction. The LEED certification process provides a format to create a project that is sustainable in a global sense as well as healthy and comfortable for the building occupants.
"This station reflects two important goals of the County; to provide for a sustainable future and encourage community partnerships. From concept to completion, these values helped to drive the project forward," said Ken Massucco, Marin County Fire Department Chief. "Needless to say, this station will serve as a model for other fire departments to emulate across the State and country."
"We commend the Marin County Fire Department and Throckmorton Ridge Station for their commitment to the environment and to the community through their use of clean, renewable energy and abundant application of green materials. Over a 25-year period, the Throckmorton Ridge station is expected to displace over 2 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions," said Dan Thompson, President and CEO of SPG Solar.
SolarCraft Press Release:
SolarCraft Completes Solar Electric & Solar Hot Water Systems for Marin Health & Wellness Campus
January 2009 (San Rafael, CA) –Novato-based SolarCraft announced today it has completed the design and installation of a 53.4 kW solar electric system and five solar hot water systems for the new Marin Health and Wellness Campus in San Rafael, CA. Installing solar improves their state-of-the-art green building practices for design, construction and site operation.
The solar electric system utilizes (289) Mitsubishi 185 watt solar panels. The solar electric system is expected to generate 75,253 kilowatt hours annually, and spans over 4,298 square feet. In addition, five solar hot water systems were installed to supplement the water heating to the buildings.
The Campus’ solar electric system will enable them to generate enough clean electricity each day to power 22 average homes. The new system will spare the air nearly 39 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually, equivalent to the air filtering of 8 acres of trees. Over the next 30 years, the air pollution saved will be comparable to driving over 1.9 million miles. A sound investment, the system will pay for itself in approximately 6 years.
