Solar Initiative Saves Taxpayers $45 Million in Utility Bills
SunEdison, a leading worldwide solar energy services provider and a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR), applauds the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) for its "Going Green" sustainability initiative, which is expected to save the state's taxpayers more than $45 million.
Throughout a six-year relationship, SunEdison implemented and continues to manage 18.4 MW (DC) of distributed generation solar energy on prison grounds turning unusable land into clean energy. The solar power plants are located at California Correctional Institution, Chuckawalla Valley State Prison, Ironwood State Prison and North Kern State Prison. The solar energy generated by the SunEdison systems will provide enough clean energy to power 65,091 homes and offset over 730 million pounds of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of taking 72,129 cars off the road over twenty years.
"Helping the CDCR cut electricity bills and reduce its carbon footprint is very rewarding," said Attila Toth, General Manager of Distributed Generation Solar for SunEdison. "By working with our finance partners we've been able to complete these projects without using California taxpayer general funds and generate significant savings for the state. Our management and operations capabilities are designed to ensure high performance for the CDCR over the next 20 years."
Beginning in 2006, SunEdison has installed ground-mounted solar systems at five prisons in California including North Kern State Prison, Chuckawalla Valley State Prison, Ironwood State Prison, California Correctional Institution, and Los Angeles County.
"Going Green is important to the CDCR and our relationship with SunEdison is a critical component in our effort," said Mark Hardcastle, Chief Energy Sustainability and Infrastructure Section, Facility Planning, Construction and Management for the CDCR. "By installing solar power plants on land surrounding the prisons we're generating clean energy and reducing bills for the people of California."