Photo credit: Alameda County

Alameda County, California seems to be using the sun’s rays to their fullest. The county, which has installed solar power systems equaling just over 18 megawatts of energy, was awarded the City Solar Award from the Northern California Solar Energy Association.

Alameda County is currently using more solar power in its businesses, residences, and government offices, and institutions than any other county in the Bay Area. In fact with solar usage in local offices and institutions, it estimates saving taxpayers an average of $6 million per year in energy costs.

The county itself has installed two very large solar projects on its properties: an 880 kw system at the Juvenile Justice Center and a 1.14 megawatt system on the roof of the Santa Rita Jail.

Photo credit: Alameda County

The extensive jail solar panel system was installed in two phases, the final 500 kw in 2002 – making it the largest rooftop solar electric system in the United States (at that time) and the fourth largest in the world. The panels that comprise this system cover about three acres of rooftop on the jail. County officials estimated that by installing this vast system they will save taxpayers in Alameda County approximately $15 million over the panels’ lifespan of 25 years.

In addition to these, Alameda County has installed solar electric systems, via PowerLight, in other county-run buildings like the Oakland Courthouse and emergency services and environmental health services facilities.

The City of Berkeley in Alameda County became the first American city to offer residents the opportunity to install solar energy systems in their home for no initial cost.

Alameda County area contractors:

Blue Ridge Construction
J Reilly Construction
Alex R. Mathews General Contractor, Inc.
Oakland Kitchen Remodeling Contractors
Alameda Roofing and Gutters Contractors

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Posted on May 13th in Solar News by Jennifer.