AT&T flips the switch to solar power in San Diego
Telecommunications giant AT&T is switching to solar power in a big way. This week, it activated a new 296-kilowatt solar power system at a company site in San Diego. The solar installation is the first of six planned solar energy projects for the company, which will have a a total overall goal of 2 megawatts (MW) of solar power generation. As a result, AT&T will save about 62 million pounds of CO2 emissions over 20 years!
As for the AT&T San Diego site, projections are for production of about 420,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) by the solar power system during the first year. Over a 20-year period, more than 7.7 million kWh of solar electricity will be generated.
What does an investment like this look like for AT&T? Actually, the six solar power systems will be installed pursuant to a solar power purchase agreement between AT&T and SunEdison. SunEdison will own, operate and maintain the solar panels on site, while AT&T will purchase the solar electricity generated by the panels at a cost that is lower than grid-based electricity. In other words, minimal upfront costs for the company, and a win-win for its energy budget as well as the environment.
AT&T and SunEdison will continue to work on the additional 5 planned solar installations in California, which should be complete by summer 2011.
Going solar to save money and the environment? Now, that’s a good call!
Tags: AT&T solar, solar electricity, solar power, solar power plants, solar power purchase agreement, solar power system
