SunTechnics to Build 1.9 Megawatt Solar Farm (California)

[jpak]

http://www.solarbuzz.com/News/NewsNAPR824.htm

South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSIJD) and SunTechnics Energy Systems Inc. have signed a contract to install one of the largest solar systems in the United States. The renewable energy turnkey provider will engineer, procure and construct a 1.9 MW single-axis solar tracking system to provide electricity to the state-of-the-art DeGroot Water treatment Plant.

The $12.5 million installation consists of 11,040 solar modules that will produce 3.7 million kilowatt hours of electricity output annually, enough to power 550 homes, and offsetting 4,106,216 lbs of carbon dioxide per year. The solar array will start generating clean renewable power beginning in 2008. The water treatment plant has experienced power outages and high electricity bills since opening in 2005. Clean electricity produced by the solar energy system located just over a mile from Woodward Reservoir, where SSJID owns two hydroelectric plants, will wipe out almost all of the $500,000 electricity bill that SSJID pays yearly to run the plant.

"This is a tremendous milestone for California and we are very happy to have SunTechnics as an expert partner," comments Jeff Shields, Utility Systems Director at SSJID. "With SSJID about to become the greenest irrigation district in the U.S., we stand behind our promise of providing reliable water supply to residents in the San Joaquin county."

The irrigation district is additionally considering purchasing the local retail electric distribution system as part of their efforts to reduce electricity costs to consumers at least 15 percent.

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[Ezlivin]

1. Exxon-Mobil is purchasing the sun

They made enough in profits last year to do so.

The board thinks it's a good move...

[kestrel91316]

2. I really like this part:

".....The irrigation district is additionally considering purchasing the local retail electric distribution system as part of their efforts to reduce electricity costs to consumers at least 15 percent....."

I am not a fan of utilities owned by private for-profit corporations. Our electricity, natural gas, and water should be PUBLIC utilities. As should hospitals.