Universal Forest Products recently announced that the design and installation of a 500 kilowatt DC solar electric system by Pacific Power Management has been completed.
The $4.4 million project in Thornton, Calif., is expected to generate 800,000 kWh per year; help displace over 32 million pounds of carbon dioxide; and provide enough power to supply over 3,000 homes over a 25-year period.
The system is made up of over 3,000 Mitsubishi Electric 180-watt modules and one SatCon 500kW inverter. SolarWatch, a Pacific Power Management system, will monitor the system and display real-time production measurement.
The cost of the system's installation was partially offset with $1.1 million in solar rebates from Pacific Gas and Electric Company. When the plant is not operating, PG&E will receive electrical power from the solar system.
