Leadership in Solar Power Affirmed by New Installations
Published May 27, 2009
Although solar provided just 0.2 percent of the state’s power in 2007, new projects such as Stirling Energy Systems’ SunCatcher installations will boost that share.
In 2008, Golden State residents, business owners and local governments shelled out cash for a record number of solar photovoltaic installations that will generate 158 megawatts of electricity.
With a boost from state and federal incentives, that figure was more than double the 78 megawatts installed in 2007. California now boasts nearly 70 percent of solar installations nationwide, with a cumulative total of 441 megawatts of distributed solar PV systems.
One of the largest installations in Northern California is at the Mariani Packing Co. in Vacaville, which processes about 100 million pounds of dried fruit each year. The company recently put up 5,800 solar panels on seven acres adjacent to the plant.
The panels generate one megawatt of electricity – about 25 percent of the company’s needs, says Mark Mariani, chairman and CEO.
“With the state and federal tax credits and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. rebates, we’ll be able to recoup our costs in six or seven years,” Mariani says.
He adds, “It makes good business sense because it will hedge our future utility costs. And, being in the agriculture business, we’ve been stewards of the land for more than 100 years; we want to be good stewards of the air as well.”
Story by Carol Cowan
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