SolarCity providing green jobs

The SJF Institute handed out its 2011 Green Jobs Awards recently, honoring the San Mateo, California company SolarCity.

Green jobs have experienced a tremendous growth during the recession, with solar power one of the leading industries providing such employment opportunities.  SolarCity currently employs 1,350 people full time and provides a full health package and retirement plan.  Not only that, but entry level photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installers have the opportunity to move quickly up the ranks into supervisory and management positions within 1-2 years of hire.

Linda Keala, SolarCity’s VP of human resources commented on its receipt of the 2011 Green Jobs Award:

“Our more than 1,300 employees make it possible for many homeowners and businesses to switch to clean, solar power for less than they pay for utility power.  Every SolarCity employee supports and plays a key role in increasing the use of clean power or using power more efficiently to make our country less dependent on energy sources that pollute our environment.”

Despite recent economic conditions, SolarCity has more than 20,000 clean power projects completed or underway in 11 states.

Regarding the 2011 Green Jobs Award, Bonny Moellenbrock, SJF Institute Executive Director, stated:

“By acknowledging the tremendous work these companies are doing, we hope to both support their efforts and inspire other businesses to follow their lead.”

What do you think about solar power and green jobs?

SolarCity solar panels to be installed on City of Sacramento buildings

Last week, the City of Sacramento, California approved a new plan with SolarCity® to install more than 8000 solar panels on municipal buildings.  The 1.9 megawatt project will be the largest solar power project undertaken by the capital city of California.

Under the contract, SolarCity will finance, install and maintain the solar installations.  This means no cost to taxpayers up front, but the energy savings will immediately start adding up.  The solar panel arrays are estimated to generate about 2.6 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean electricity in the first year, or the equivalent of power for 250 homes.

Mayor Kevin Johnson enthused about the solar panel project:

“This project is a triple win for Sacramento—it will save taxpayers money by lowering the City’s energy costs, reduce pollution by generating renewable power, and create more local jobs to install the panels.  It’s our goal to become a greener city and generating clean energy on our facilities is keeping with that commitment.”

The four sites on which solar panels will be installed include:

• City Hall in downtown Sacramento
• The building at 300 Richards Boulevard that houses the police department and building and planning offices
• Corporation yard on Meadowview Road that houses the City’s sanitation fleet and other services
• South Area Corporation Yard off Fruitridge and 28th Street.

Again, there are no upfront costs for taxpayers.  The City will purchase solar electricity generated by the solar panels from SolarCity pursuant to a power purchase agreement (PPA).  This power will cost less than electricity from the grid, and is also much cleaner!

Utility scale solar power plants such as those approved in Boulder City (23 miles east of Las Vegas) require ample land, government approvals and proximity to transmission lines.  The solar power array to be sited on 1,500 acres of land will generate low-cost, clean solar electricity with photovoltaic (PV) panels.

The newest solar power plant slated for Boulder City will join the 75 megawatt (MW) Concentrating Solar Power plant of Nevada Solar One, thin film solar installations of Copper Mountain III and El Dorado, and a planned 300 MW Posco Power/Sustainable Energy Partners PV solar installation planned to be completed by 2014.

Is it any wonder that the region is called “Solar City”?

A development agreement between Boulder City and Delaware-based Sempra Generation, secures the solar development for 50 years.  Its a win-win for both sides, with $200 million in payments flowing to the City from Sempra to help pay down existing municipal debt.

Solar panels coming soon to the Soaring Heights Communities in Tuscon, AZ

The Soaring Heights Communities – a residential development near Tuscon, Arizona – will be home to the largest community-wide solar project in the U.S.  With a combination of rooftop solar panels and ground-mounted PV panels, the 6 megawatt (MW) installation will generate more than 10 million kilowatt-hours per year of clean, green electricity!

The clean electricity generated is enough to service 75% of the energy required by the community next year and eventually to provide 100% of electricity.  900 homes in the subdivision will have rooftop solar panel installations.

The residential solar panel development is the result of a partnership between several key entities, including Actus Lend Lease, Solar City, Tuscon Electric Power, National Bank of Arizona and U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation.  Under the terms of the agreement, SolarCity is designing and installing the solar panel systems.

All together, this largest community-wide solar project will increase the total solar capacity in Arizona by 15%!

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