Jun 14 2010
A 2.4 MW expansion of an existing 3.6 MW solar plant has been completed by Solar Power Inc, Aerojet and SMUD. The plant is located in the Sacramento, California facility of Aerojet, within the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The additional capacity makes the plant the single largest solar facility in California.
The solar plant uses more than 29,000 SPI 205 W photovoltaic modules produced by Solar Power and contains twenty-two tracking arrays to enhance electricity production. The power generated will be entirely used for Aerojet operations, covering 30% of groundwater treatment projects developed by Aerojet.
The plant replaces the usage of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide. The project would replace 10 GWh of fossil fuel based energy every year.. About 200 workers were employed to build the forty-acre plant
Ron Samborsky, vice president of Sustainability, Aerojet, said that this plant is a major initiative by Aerojet towards protecting the environment and reducing carbon emissions. Steve Kircher, CEO of Solar Power, said that the plant would benefit not only the environment but also the economy.