Placer County has dedicated its latest solar-energy project – a photovoltaic system that covers 2 acres and powers the juvenile detention facility in Auburn.
The $2.4 million project, dedicated Nov. 29, is one of four solar-power systems installed at Placer County government facilities in recent years. Together, they are capable of producing a maximum of 584 kilowatts of renewable electricity.
"It's important for the county to take a leadership role in developing these kinds of projects, to set the example that they are the right thing to do," said Jim Durfee, county director of facility services.
"They create extra energy in a market where there's a lot of demand, but they're also good from the environmental standpoint."
The estimated value of the power generated through the county's various photovoltaic systems is $8 million over their life spans, Durfee said.
On peak-demand days, the ground system near the juvenile detention facility will generate roughly half of the building's power needs.
The Board of Supervisors directed county staff members in 2001 to look into solar energy systems for the government center in Auburn to reduce operating expenses and the county's dependency on electricity from the state power grid.
"It just makes good economic sense," said board Chairman Bruce Kranz.
Each system has a life span of 25 to 30 years and will take the county about 13 to 14 years to pay off.
"Energy is never going to get cheaper," Kranz said. "After it's paid off, you get free energy. Who wouldn't want to do that?"
The Roseville-based firm Solar Power & Geothermal Energy installed and operates three of the solar energy systems, including the newest one at the juvenile detention facility. Supervisor Kirk Uhler, who was appointed to the board, is the company's vice president of government relations.
The agreement between Solar Power and the county, however, was approved in 2005 before Uhler took office, said county Public Information Officer Anita Yoder.
Uhler has abstained from board discussions and votes relating to the project, Yoder said.
The cost of the photovoltaic systems were partially offset by rebates from Pacific Gas and Electric Co., including a $974,874 rebate for the one at the juvenile detention facility.
The county also received $746,000 in PG&E rebates for two solar projects that cost a total of $1.7 million, Durfee said.
Those systems, on the rooftops of two county buildings, generate 215 kilowatts of power.
"Placer County is very forward-thinking," said Steven Nichols, PG&E's Northern California services and sales director.
PG&E's more than 18,000 solar customers generate about 60 percent of the state's solar energy, Nichols said.
Kranz added that the county is looking into other green energy opportunities. He hopes Placer can build a government center in his Tahoe-area district that would include a biomass plant.
The plant would use forest debris to produce energy.