Butte County, California wins DOE/EPA Green award for using solar
By Mary Weston/Staff Writer, December 6, 06
Source: Oroville Mercury Register
http://orovillemr.com/news/ci_4785860
Butte County received a 2006 Green Power Leadership Award For On-Site Generation for using photovoltaic solar panels to meet the county’s energy needs. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy gave the award for the county’s role as a leading national green power purchaser and for the county’s role in developing the nation’s green power market, according to a press release from Paul McIntosh, chief administrative officer of Butte County.
“There were only three awards given nationwide in the on-site generation category,” McIntosh said. “Butte County was one of the three.” Out of about 100 applicants nationwide, 22 were selected for awards in four separate categories. Butte County earned the distinction because of it’s use of photovoltaic solar panels as an on-site renewable energy source to produce energy for county buildings. The panels are located at the county government center on County Center Drive in Oroville.
When the system became operational, it was the fifth largest solar energy system in the U.S., with an output of 997 kilowatts AC or 1.18 megawatts DC. The system has four separate arrays with 6,360 185 watt photovoltaic panels.
The award was presented at an event Monday, December 4, in conjunction with the 11th National Renewable Marketing Conference in San Francisco. “We are proud to recognize the efforts of suppliers that are leading the way in promoting the use of renewable energy,” said Andy Karsner, assistant secretary for energy efficiency renewable energy.
Butte County Supervisor Curt Josiassen accepted the award on behalf of the county and the board of supervisors. “We understand the need to support green power to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use,” Josiassen said. When installed, the solar system was the fifth largest in the nation and the 25th largest in the world, Josiassen said. “As a California leader in our forward-thinking pursuit of renewable energy, Butte County is honored to receive this recognition from the EPA and DOE,” Josiassen said.
The county solar project was completed in August 2004, supplying electrical energy for three county buildings. The solar panels prevent more the 1,164 tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere that would be emitted by a gas-fired power plant, according to the county press release. It would take up to 100 acres of trees to naturally filter that much carbon.
The system includes two ground mounted solar arrays and one solar array mounted on a parking structure, which also provides shade for parking. “The county is looking at phase two of the project,” McIntosh said. “We just have to make sure that it pencils out.”
For more information go to http://www.buttecounty.net/solar/.