Calif. Acute-Care Hospital Goes Solar

AUBURN, Calif. — Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital announced that nearly half of its electricity is now solar, making it the first acute-care facility in the state of California to have a large portion of its energy demands met by two 3,000 panel solar array hosted by the hospital.

With a combined capacity of 700 kilowatts, the two systems, expected to generate more than 1 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The solar arrays are also designed so they will also provide protective covering for 150 employee parking spaces, additional shade, and reduce air conditioning costs.

The solar system, installed by SPG Solar, based in Novato, Calif., will offset more than 11,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide over 25 years, the equivalent to removing more than 2,500 automobiles off the road for one year, according to reports.

The solar power system was financed by SunEdison, North America’s largest solar energy services provider, which will own and operate the system.