SAN PABLO, Calif.—Chevron Corp. said Thursday it completed the first phase of a $35.2 million solar-power project installation at the Contra Costa Community College District in California.
The overall project includes a 3.2 megawatt solar-power generation system, energy-management systems, electrical system replacements and high-efficiency lighting, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. The first phase of installation was for 2.65 megawatts worth of power generation, with the rest to be added this year.
Chevron said the project is the largest solar-power installation at a North American higher-education institution.
A one-megawatt plant running continuously at full capactiy can power 778 households each year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Solar technology has lower capacity since its power generation is constrained by availability of the sun.
Chevron has installed the solar panels in six parking lots at Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College within the district. The energy company expects the solar panels to generate about 4 million kilowatt-hours of power each year, which will supply up to half of the district's peak electricity needs.
The renewable power will offset the production of about 5.6 million pounds of carbon-dioxide emissions annually, which is equivalent to removing 629 cars from the road or planting 636 acres of trees, Chevron said.
Contra Costa will offset about $8.5 million of the project's cost in rebates and other incentives through state incentive programs for solar power. The additional $26.7 million will be funded with bonds and recovered over time through annual savings for energy costs.
