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State, Local Officials Dedicate Largest Private Solar Project in City; 3 Megawatt Facility Will Help Power Depot Park Business Complex
“I launched ‘Greenwise Sacramento’ because I believe this area has the opportunity to be the greenest region in the country and a hub for investment in clean technology,” said Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. “Today’s dedication demonstrates that good environmental policy can be good economic policy. The scale of this project shows that while Sacramento has the sunshine to create renewable energy, we also have the collaboration and the imagination to think big and turn a Brownfield site into a renewable energy showcase. Congratulations to all those involved!”
The 12,600-panel array will produce enough power to meet approximately 40% of the annual electricity needs at Depot Park, the former Sacramento Army Depot. The installation is one of the largest ground mounted-tracking solar projects in California and the only one located at a Superfund Site within a redeveloped military facility.
“California solar projects not only provide an efficient and affordable source of energy, they provide jobs to high skilled Californians,” said Joel Ayala, Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “The investment that Chint and Astronergy have made in California is an historic achievement and our hope is that we can develop further opportunities, both here in Sacramento and across the state.”
“SMUD considers this investment in clean energy a down payment on a low-carbon future.” said Renee Taylor, SMUD Board President. “Projects such as these align with SMUD’s vision to promote responsible and sustainable economic development and renewable energy. SMUD has been a solar leader for more than two decades.”
The Depot Park Solar Project will save more than 3,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to:
• Removing 696 vehicles from the road
• Powering 728 average homes in California
• Avoiding the need to burn 6,335 barrels of oil a year
“This project reflects our commitment to attracting clean technology industries and to lowering the carbon footprint of our own operations,” said Dick Fischer, president of U.S. National Leasing, owner and manager of Depot Park. “It serves as a shining example of both alternative energy ingenuity and green energy remediation of a previously contaminated Brownfield site. It promotes both the state’s climate change initiatives and the city’s effort to attract green industry businesses to Sacramento.”
The project’s success was assisted by development partners East West Bank; Chint Astroenergy, a China-based energy equipment manufacturer; SPG Solar, designed and installed the solar energy system; the California Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and the City of Sacramento and its Greenwise Initiative.
“We applaud U.S. National Leasing and Depot Park for investing in their future and the local community. This sizeable solar power system is maximizing land space that cannot be used for other applications by converting a Brownfield into a Brightfield and has created nearly 100 green jobs in the community,” said Chris Robine, president and CEO of SPG Solar.
“East West Bank is always in the forefront for advancing environmental sustainability. We have financed quite a few solar projects in California recently which helped improve energy efficiency and benefited the communities. We are pleased to partner with the public-private partnership team to bring the Depot Park solar project live,” said Don Danh, senior vice president and manager of emerging markets at East West Bank.
The Depot Park solar installation operates as a “peak shaving” efficiency project, leveling surges in electricity demand during peak usage times and reducing the Park’s overall demand for electricity from SMUD. Reducing this peak electricity demand during the hottest times of the year provides many benefits to the SMUD electricity grid, including reduced demand for power generated from fossil fuels and reduced investment in new sources of generation.
