Sun Power and Geothermal Energy Inc. was awarded an $8.4 million contract to design and build a 1-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Butte County Center in Oroville, Calif. According to Sun Power & Geothermal Energy, when the project is commissioned in June, the solar system will be one of the top 10 largest solar energy systems in the country.

The Butte County Administration building, the East Jail, and the West Jail will all be powered by four solar arrays. The system will feature two ground-mount arrays, one rooftop array, and solar panels mounted on installed parking shade structures for a county parking lot. The system will provide 100 percent of the power for all three buildings. The system is designed to provide the equivalent of the energy used to power 400 California homes.

— J.J. Siegel

Publication date: 01/12/2004