Solano County
The Challenge
Solano County, California, wanted to further their sustainable efforts with renewable energy. The County contracted with Honeywell, a global energy services leader, to develop a solar photovoltaic (PV) project that would supply power to the Claybank Adult Detention Facility in Fairfield, California.
The Solution
Honeywell Building Solutions partnered with SPG Solar, Inc. for the solar project. Working closely with Honeywell, Solano County, and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), SPG Solar designed a comprehensive solar PV system utilizing 2,792 solar modules on solar bus-ports and a ground-mounted array located on a parking lot near the Claybank facility.
The custom bus-ports have a dual purpose, providing shade for the County’s Fairfield-Suisun School District buses and vehicles while producing clean, renewable energy for the detention facility. The bus-ports were specifically designed to meet the safety clearances required for the District’s school buses.
The Benefits
- The systems are expected to supply 60% of the electricity for the detention facility and save the County more than $1 million in energy costs
- Solano County receives clean renewable power at fixed rates for the next 20 years
- Insulates the County from energy price hikes over the life of the system
- Solano County benefits by not having an upfront capital outlay for the project
The Green Line
The solar energy generated at Solano County will prevent over 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) from being released into the atmosphere each year by fossil-fueled power plants. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it takes 210 acres of trees one year to absorb 2 million pounds of CO2.
