City of Salinas to Save $22 Million with Solar, Efficiency Upgrades
The upgrades include LED retrofits, new HVAC equipment and energy management systems
SALINAS, Calif. — The city of Salinas, California, celebrated a major milestone in the implementation of its ongoing energy program with OpTerra Energy Services during a dedication event at its new solar farm. Since its inception in 2014, the heart of the comprehensive energy program has been focused on using energy as a platform to revitalize neighborhoods, build regional collaboration, and reduce the city’s impact on the environment. As a result of solar, energy efficiency, and other energy conservation upgrades across the city, Salinas expects to save $22 million in energy and maintenance costs over the span of the 25-year life of the program.
At the event, city administration and OpTerra personnel highlighted some of the most visible changes resulting from the energy program, including the 2 MW of solar production. As a result of enhanced energy improvements across public facilities as diverse as the Permit Center to the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facility, Steinbeck Public Library, and Municipal Airport, Salinas’ energy program has stimulated the local economy by directly creating 50 local jobs in construction and administration associated with the project.