Port of San Diego's Rooftop Solar Panels Celebrated

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

The sun was shining brightly on the more than 100 solar panels atop the Port of San Diego's Administration Building annex as officials and Port employees gathered nearby to celebrate the new photovoltaic system on September 16.

The first solar panels placed on a Port building are expected to provide clean power for more than 2 percent of the building’s energy use. The project cost $210,000 and was paid for through the Port’s Environmental Fund. It demonstrates the Port’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

A highlight of the ceremony was a check presentation to the Port for $55,609. It is a rebate from the California Center for Sustainable Energy, whose funds come from San Diego Gas & Electric ratepayers.

In a photo-op moment, Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Stephen P. Cushman and Port President/CEO Charlie Wurster accepted the enlarged check from Terry Clapham, Distributed Generation Manager for the Center for Sustainable Energy.

“This is the ‘greenest’ Board of Port Commissioners the Port has ever had,” said Chairman Cushman. “We’re committed to reducing energy use and being environmentally sensitive in all facets of the Port and its operations.”

The Port is also installing solar panels on the new Broadway Pier, now under construction. The building is designed to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification and will be the port’s first LEED-certified building.

San Diego-based Sullivan Solar Power, that installed the photovoltaic system at the Port Administration building, will also install the system at the new Broadway Cruise Ship Terminal.

“The money the Port spent on installing the photovoltaic system at its Administration Building will be recouped in energy savings in eight to 10 years, depending how energy costs go up,” said Daniel Sullivan, President of Sullivan Solar Power.

The Port also plans to install a photovoltaic system at its General Services Building in National City.

Other energy projects the Port is working on include installing LED lighting in the Administration Building parking lot, and replacing traditional lighting with lower energy alternatives.

The dedication coincides with the Port of San Diego's Green Port Month. The Green Port Program was developed to support the goals of the Green Port Policy that was approved by the Board of Port Commissioners in 2008. The ultimate goal of the program is to achieve long-term environmental, societal and economic benefits through resource conservation, waste reduction and pollution prevention.

The Green Port Program unifies the Port’s environmental sustainability goals in six key areas. Overseen by the Green Port Program Steering Committee, the Port sets measurable goals and evaluates progress in each area on an annual basis. The Green Port Program both continues the Port’s existing environmental efforts and expands these efforts through new programs and initiatives.