Santa Cruz County solar panel project promises significant energy savings – Santa Cruz Sentinel

The morning sun this week powers the 266-kilowatt array of solar panels atop the County Government Center across the San Lorenzo River in downtown Santa Cruz. The installation of eight solar arrays on Santa Cruz County facilities in 2018, including the County Government Center and the Simpkins Swim Center, was estimated to save the county $20 million by 2038. The solar panels were estimated to offset annual 637 metric tons of carbon emissions, equal. to the emissions of over 71,000 gallons of gasoline. The project was paid for with $7.4 million in clean renewable energy bonds. The bonds are scheduled to be paid off over 17 years, and at the time of installation, county communications director Jason Hoppin told the Sentinel that “the annual savings will exceed the repayment costs.”