California Center for Sustainable Energy

The City of Chula Vista continued to expand its leadership role in going green and reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the switching on of a 50- kilowatt photovoltaic ( PV) system covering a solar carport at its civic center complex. During a ceremony held Nov. 21, Andrew McAllister, CCSE’s director of policy and strategy, presented Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox with a $740,975 rebate check from the California Solar Initiative.

The 6,500-square-foot parking structure not only provides shade to 36 vehicles, but it also produces clean, sustainable electricity for the complex. Over the past year, Chula Vista has installed some 1,900 PV panels at 11 sites including recreation centers, the Public Works yard, the animal care facility and Norman Park Senior Center. These solar photovoltaic systems combined produce enough electricity in one year to power 125 homes, according to city officials.

Funds for the new solar photovoltaic systems have been obtained from federal stimulus grants, California solar rebates and a low-interest loan from the California Energy Commission. Electric savings to the city from the new solar systems will cover the cost of the loan within ten years.

Chula Vista is one of the first local governments in the region to continuously track its greenhouse gas emissions in order to manage its sustainability and carbon-reducing initiatives. The city’s Climate Action Plan features policies aimed at lowering energy and water use, expanding the use of solar energy, promoting alternative fuel vehicles and creating walkable, transit-friendly communities.

“These efforts not only help ensure clean air, clean water and clean land for our residents and visitors, but they also help improve our community’s quality of life and contribute to our local economy,” Mayor Cox said at the ceremony.

Continue reading November's newsletter.