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The Orange County Sherriff’s Department’s Peace Officer Training Facility was the host site for today’s flip-the-switch celebration for a solar power system that is being installed at five County of Orange facilities. Civic officials and business leaders were on-hand to commend County officials and to congratulate them on the completion of this green initiative. Through a public-private partnership with the County of Orange, PsomasFMG is providing a turnkey solar solution, set to reduce the County’s consumption of traditional electricity. The company arranged for project financing free of upfront costs to the County, and is managing the installation of the 3.3 megawatt project. The solar system features photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted atop carport structures, as well as ground mounted structures at some sites. Construction is nearly complete and all systems are scheduled to be fully operational in October.
“Nearly every public agency in California is challenged in multiple ways to help clean up the environment and achieve savings on our costs of operation,” said Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell. “To do both at the same time requires thinking outside of the box and a public-private partnership focused on the County’s multiple missions. In our case PsomasFMG has provided the partnership which will serve the County of Orange well into the future with a model that can be built upon for the benefit of our posterity.”
“Developing solar energy projects for a government agency such as ours can be a difficult and complicated process, but PsomasFMG has assisted us every step of the way,” said Thomas G. Mauk, County Executive Officer for the County of Orange. “We are confident that PsomasFMG’s expertise, track record and integrity will lead to a successful project, making our county greener and bringing taxpayers significant savings on our energy costs.”
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The solar power installations are engineered to produce renewable electricity for the County along with other benefits. The solar installations will provide between 60-80% of each site’s electrical needs, with Southern California Edison supplementing the County’s remaining energy requirements. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) will lock in stable energy costs and help to reduce the County’s overall electricity expenditures. Over the 20-year term of a PPA, the installations are expected to save the County $4-6 million in avoided electricity costs. Additionally, the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide shaded parking for County staff and visitors.
“For PsomasFMG, the County of Orange Pilot Project has been a labor of love,” says Louis Kwiker, Chairman & CEO of PsomasFMG. “At every turn we have focused on delivering the best possible project, delivering energy to the County at the best possible price. Together with our County partners we have removed all obstacles to success and today we celebrate not only a successful project but a successful partnership.”
The solar project features an installation of 13,480 PV panels that are mounted atop steel-frame canopies and provide shaded parking for over 600 vehicles. County sites that will be generating solar power include the James A. Musick Facility, the County Operations Center, the Social Services Agency & Sheriff’s Communication facilities on Eckhoff St, the Katella Peace Officer Training Facility, and the Collins Yard.
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