NO SOONER had the ground been broken for the Citywide Solar Project last Friday than the work of implementing its conservation measures got underway. And the progress was made not on capturing energy from the sun, but another key plank of the multi-faceted project: saving water. Which also saves energy. And money.
Project Administrator Caryn Grosse reports that water conservation measures are being installed at 15 City facilities, starting with the restrooms at BC Pool, Sandoval Parking Garage, Main Library, and the Convention Center. That's just the beginning of water conservation measures that are estimated to directly save over 2.2 million gallons a year.
The solar project will add 2.75 megawatts of renewable energy to the City's portfolio by installing photovoltaic arrays at 17 sites. That will
offset 80% of electricity consumption at selected City facilities and 60% at eight water utility facilities and two BDD facilities.
The project includes several other Facility Improvement Measures that will reduce both energy and water consumption. In total, the project is estimated to save more than $750,000 per year in utility costs, with approximately $500,000 per year of the savings resulting from solar. This project is also estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 6,742,000 pounds per year, the equivalent of taking 588 vehicles off the road.
