California Port Powered by the Sun
Energy Boom
A California port is now completely powered by solar energy.According to a press release, a newly installed solar power system wasrecently installed at the Port of WestSacramento, located northeast of San Francisco.
More than 3,500 lead-free Mitsubishi Electric solar panels covering 90,000 square feet were installed on the rooftops of two warehouse buildings. The 637-kilowatt system willprovide electricity to the Port for the next 25 years
The system is expected to reduce the Port’s annual energy costs byabout $20,000 and reduce its carbon footprint by eliminating over 34million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 25 years. Thesystem will provide enough electricity to power approximately 90 homesfor a year.
The system was installed by California-based Pacific Power Management LLC (PPM),at no cost. PPM, founded in 2002, is the largest supplier of solar power in Yolo County.
The Port of West Sacramento, along with the Port of Oakland and Portof Stockton, is also moving ahead with a new inland “marine highway”container barge service.
The project between the three ports is expected to reduce greenhousegas emissions, ease congestion along California highways and reducetruck miles between the ports and distribution centers.
The project is funded by a $30 million federal stimulus grant.Service is expected to be underway by the end of 2010. The Port of WestSacramento will also use a portion of the funding to construct a cranefor handling container cargo.
Original Article on EnergyBoom
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