Nov 1 2010
Chevron Energy Solutions, a unit of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), announced three solar and energy efficiency projects in Orange County, Calif.
The projects are expected to save the City of Brea and two school districts more than $40 million over the life of the projects through energy efficiency improvements and the installation of more than 3 MW of solar power generation. By reducing the purchase of utility power, these three projects are expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 88,000 metric tons, equivalent to the carbon sequestered by more than 18,500 acres of trees.
- City of Brea – The city will become the largest municipal producer of solar energy in Orange County once the 1.8 MW of solar panels are installed at the Community Center, Civic and Cultural Center and Reservoir City Pump Yard. Chevron Energy Solutions designed the solar systems and will build, install, operate, maintain, measure and guarantee the systems' performance for the city. The company also designed and will implement a citywide street lighting upgrade and interior and exterior lighting retrofits and improvements to heating, ventilating, air conditioning and energy management controls. The solar and energy efficiency improvements generate savings to pay for the infrastructure costs and are expected to reduce the city's energy use by more than 40 percent. The project is expected to be completed in 2011.
- Huntington Beach City School District – This project is the first energy efficiency and solar project at an elementary school district in Orange County. Chevron Energy Solutions designed and engineered the 615-kilowatt solar system and will install, operate, maintain and guarantee the system's performance, which is expected to meet more than 30 percent of the district's demand for electricity. The company is also implementing energy efficiency improvements through lighting system upgrades and through upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The energy efficiency improvements are expected to reduce the district's annual energy consumption by nearly 30 percent and provide other benefits including improved lighting quality and aesthetics, reduced maintenance costs and consistent indoor climate quality. The project is expected to be completed in 2011.
- Santa Ana Unified School District – This recently completed project is currently the largest solar project in Orange County. Chevron Energy Solutions designed, engineered and constructed the solar and energy efficiency improvements including a 809-kilowatt solar photovoltaic electrical generation system that is expected to produce up to 75 percent of Saddleback High School's annual electrical needs and a solar thermal system that is expected to offset up to 75 percent of the annual pool heating cost. The project also includes energy efficiency upgrades to the ventilating and air conditioning system, high efficiency induction light fixtures, LED lighting and a new roofing system with a reflecting "cool roof" membrane. A "Flip the Switch" Ceremony is being held on October 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Saddleback High School to showcase the project and celebrate its completion, followed by a community fair and environmental expo from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students, district representatives, government officials, business leaders and community members are expected to attend the events.
"We are pleased that our collaboration with the City of Brea and two school districts in Orange County are delivering energy savings and reducing carbon emissions through energy efficiency improvements and the use of renewable power," said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions. "It is great to see government and education institutions in Orange County take a leadership role in demonstrating the region's environmental and fiscal leadership."
Source: http://www.chevronenergy.com/