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Alameda County Expands Use of Solar Energy with Solaria Power Plant at
Santa Rita Jail
DUBLIN & FREMONT, CA, June 5, 2012 –
Alameda County, recognized nationally as a leader in the effective use
of renewable energy, has added a new 250kW solar power
plant employing Solaria's proprietary STS-Azimuth tracking system to its
portfolio of solar projects.
“It’s exciting to have Alameda County
choose Solaria’s tracking system to expand the use of solar power
at the Santa
Rita Jail,” said Solaria CEO Dan Shugar. Alameda County, a
trendsetter in solar deployment for more than a decade, is known to make
practical,
informed choices in their use of renewable energy technologies. This new
Solaria solar power plant will provide Alameda County with a cost-effective,
reliable, non-polluting system that will reduce the county’s electricity
bill by over $2.2 million over the next 25 years, contributing to both
the county’s budget and to the environmental health of the entire
region.”
The Solaria STS-Azimuth tracking system consists of the company’s
patented concentrating solar photovoltaic panels, solar tracking system,
and specialized design services. Solaria’s concentrating solar panels
multiply the energy yield of silicon while providing outstanding energy
generation
performance. The Solaria trackers ensure that the Solaria panels, which
are designed for tracking systems, take full advantage of available solar
energy by following the sun’s path across the sky throughout the
day. Trackers produce up to 30% more energy than fixed arrays. And Solaria’s
expert design
services ensure that the system is designed for optimum system performance,
highest energy yield and minimal environmental impact.
“We are proud to partner on this project with Solaria Corporation,
a local manufacturer headquartered here in Alameda County,” stated
Matt Muniz, Alameda County energy program manager. “By utilizing
Solaria’s unique solar tracking technology, we have been able to increase
the jail's
renewable energy generation capacity by over 50%.”
Last month, Alameda County unveiled a microgrid that enables the county's Santa Rita Jail
to sustain power should its connection to the utility grid be interrupted. The $11.7 million
project, known as a smart grid, will allow Santa Rita Jail to ensure it has a supply of
reliable electricity for its daily operations and security, and will save the county
approximately $100,000 per year in energy costs. Chevron Energy Solutions designed,
developed and built the project, which was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy,
the California Energy Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission. The smart
grid is the first of its kind in the country.
"Throughout our history, Alameda County has worked to integrate pioneering technologies into
our operations," said Alameda County Sheriff Gregory J. Ahern. "The smart grid and new
solar tracking systems at Santa Rita Jail continue that tradition, improving the community's
grid stability while consistently providing a safe, secure and humane environment for
inmates and staff." The smart grid and solar tracking projects are the culmination of
several renewable energy projects implemented at the jail, including rooftop solar photovoltaic
panels, a 1 MW fuel cell cogeneration plant, and wind turbines, along with a 2 MW advanced energy storage system.
The California Energy Commission provided nearly $2 million in funding for Alameda County's
smart grid project, through its Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program. In addition,
the California Public Utility Commission's CSI Research, Development and Deployment Program
funded the solar tracking project with over $600,000 in grant funding. These programs support
public interest research and development that help improve the quality of life in California
by bringing environmentally safe, reliable, and affordable energy services and products to the marketplace.
About Alameda County
Alameda County is California's seventh largest county, with more than 1.5 million residents. The County includes 14 cities as well as several unincorporated communities. Alameda County is governed by an elected Board of Supervisors, with each supervisor representing one of five geographical districts. County government is guided by a Strategic Vision, a far-reaching roadmap that integrates five priority areas including Environment and Sustainability. With a robust sustainability program Alameda County has established itself as a leader in areas including climate protection, ecosystem restoration, use of renewable energy and green building methods, recycling and waste reduction.
About Solaria
Solaria Corporation designs, manufactures and markets silicon PV modules and systems to solar system integrators, project developers and electric utilities. Based on its patented low-cost technology, Solaria's modules provide reliable performance while matching form, fit and performance of conventional PV modules. Solaria headquarters are in California with operations in Germany and India. For more information, please visit www.solaria.com.
Solaria Media Contacts
Susan DeVico (510) 339.1527 (USA)
sdevico@solaria.com
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