Southern California Edison is working the biggest solar power project in the nation. A budget of $875 million dollars is planned to spread some 65 million sqft of photovoltaic solar power cells over the roof tops of commercial buildings in Southern California. This massive array of solar cells will generate 250 megawatts of power in an effort to get closer to the state mandate that states 20% of California’s power must be generated from renewable resources by the year 2010. The power generated from this project will be enough to power around 162,000 homes with clean power.
Southern California Edison chose to work with photovoltaic solar cells due to advances in manufacturing the cell cutting the cost in half compared to recent years. I hope that this huge project will also help bring the cost down on these products so those wanting to install solar power generation on their homes can do so at less cost then before. If you live in Riverside, Inland Empire or San Bernadino counties keep an eye out for the installation. Southern California Edison says that installation will start immediately and that they plan to install 1 megawatt a week.
“These new solar stations, which we will be installing at a rate of one megawatt a week, will provide a new source of clean energy directly in the fast-growing regions where we need it most,” Edison International Chairman and Chief Executive John Bryson said in a statement.
The fact that they’re taking to the roof of commercial buildings is ingenious in my mind by putting previously unused and pretty much worthless spaces to use. I can only hope other utility companies take note and try similar projects rather then sprawling out over many acres to generate the same amount of power.
Link to video of the event: http://www.sce.com/nrc/videos/solarevent/index.html
Source: SCE, Reuters, TreeHugger
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March 28th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Hmm, I was thinking of doing some research on solar energy companies to pick some stocks in that sector.
Stumbled.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:53 am
This is great news. But I live in San Diego so this development has minimal impact.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I really hope this kind of thing catches on with other companies. You live in the right state to someday get solar power Cali is on the right track renewable energy wise at least.