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 District
partners with Borrego Solar and CCSE to deploy 290 KW
solar system at the Nat L. Eggert Operations Center
Helix Water District today announced the activation
of a 290 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system
at its Nat L. Eggert Operations Center (OC) in El Cajon.
The zero-emission system was deployed through a partnership
with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. (Borrego Solar), a
leading designer and installer of grid-tied solar electric
power systems, and the California Center for Sustainable
Energy (CCSE). To celebrate the new system, the District
will host an unveiling event Wednesday, March 30, at
10 a.m.
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"Clean
drinking water is one of our nation's most important
natural resources," said DeAna Verbeke, president
of Helix Water District's board of directors. "By
working with the CCSE and Borrego Solar to incorporate
solar, we have taken a step forward in combining water
conservation with clean energy generation."
The system will be operated and maintained under a Power
Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Borrego Solar. Through
the PPA, the District will purchase 454,000 kW hours
per year of clean energy, approximately 90 percent of
the energy consumed annually by the OC.
"The ongoing commitment from forward-thinking organizations
like Helix Water District is key to enabling the accelerated
adoption of solar energy," said Mike Hall, CEO
of Borrego Solar. "We are thrilled to have been
selected by the District to be a part this project and
be able to help them take advantage of the long-term
financial and environmental benefits of clean, renewable
solar power."
The cost of the project was substantially offset by
a $463,900 rebate from the California Solar Initiative
awarded by the CCSE in San Diego. During the planning
phase, the District contracted with CCSE's Energy Advisory
Service to conduct an independent energy analysis to
better understand the potential energy and cost savings
of a solar power installation at their facility.
"This project is a terrific example of how to specify
and procure a solar installation that will reduce energy
costs while providing valuable shade to protect district
equipment," said Jon Fortune, consulting manager
for CCSE's Energy Advisory Service. "Helix Water
District and Borrego Solar have shown how solar projects
can be combined with shade structures to make the most
of available funding."
Over 20 years of production, the zero-emission
system, will offset more than an estimated 11.9
million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) that
would have been emitted during the production of electricity
from fossil fuels. This is the equivalent of planting
107 acres of trees or conserving nearly 18,000 barrels
of oil.
Media interested in attending the event on March 30
or speaking with the organizations involved prior to
the event may contact Schwartz Communications at (415)
512-0770 or borregosolar@schwartzcomm.com.
Established in 1980, Borrego
Solar Systems, Inc. is a leading national financier,
designer and installer of commercial and government
grid-connected solar electric power systems. Borrego
Solar's photovoltaic systems are efficient, reliable
and cost-effective. With more than three decades of
experience and over 1,000 installations completed--totaling
more than 35 MW--Borrego Solar offers a comprehensive
line of design and installation services throughout
California, New England, and the Mid Atlantic. For more
information, visit www.borregosolar.com.
The California
Center for Sustainable Energy is a nonprofit organization
that helps individuals, businesses, municipalities and
others to adopt greener practices and save energy and
money through rebates, technical assistance and education.
CCSE's Energy Advisory Service is a group of accredited
engineers, energy raters and technical specialists who
provide comprehensive expertise on a wide range of challenges
related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, green
building and carbon impacts.
Contacts:
Chuck
Colgan
California Center
for Sustainable Energy
(858) 244-1184
chuck.colgan@energycenter.org
Heather
Craft
Schwartz Communications
(415) 512-0770
borregosolar@schwartz-pr.com
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