Adult Community Solar Electric Installation Project Profile
Oakmont Village Association (OVA) has been working diligently on its resiliency plan to address not only wildfire preparation but also rising PG&E costs due to the recent North Bay fires. OVA’s move to install solar has resulted in locking in lower electricity costs with clean, renewable solar energy just before PG&E announced another rate increase between 3% to 8% for grid-delivered electricity.
The Central Activity Center, which includes the Berger Center Auditorium, is powered by the largest of the three systems at 243.96 kW, generating over 333,000 kWh every year and offsetting over 94% of the facility’s electrical usage. An 88.92 kW system powers the East Recreation Center, generating over 120,000 kWh annually and offsets over 96% of the facility’s electrical usage. The West Recreation Center carport holds a 77.52 kW system which generates over 110,000 kWh yearly, offsetting over 94% of the electrical usage of the West Rec Center. The vast majority of Oakmont Village Association’s recreational facilities are now powered by clean, renewable solar power.
“SolarCraft runs a clean operation and has a great reputation,” said Iris Harrell, Building Construction Committee at OVA. “They have the ability to make good things happen…for us and the planet!”
The solar system is financed with a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) from Tritec Americas, meaning that OVA did not have to pay any upfront solar system costs during design or installation. The PPA takes care of all system costs, operations and maintenance and insurance for 25 years. OVA simply buys the electricity produced by the solar carports at a much reduced rate compared to the electricity generated by PG&E and consumed from their grid.
With over 410 kW of solar power installed, OVA is saving $10,900 annually in utility fees. The combined systems provide 563,000 kWh of clean, sustainable power annually, offsetting 1,694,953 lbs. of carbon dioxide every year that would otherwise be emitted by fossil-fuel based utility power. This impact over the next 25 years is equivalent to saving 1,232 barrels of oil, removing air pollution produced by over 24 million miles of driving, or the pollutants removed by planting 451 acres of trees annually.
Customer Profile
Oakmont Village in Santa Rosa, California is a 55+ community set in the middle of the beautiful wine country of Sonoma County, a destination place for many and home to more than 4,500 residents who enjoy Oakmont’s vibrant lifestyle. With 36-holes of golf, three clubhouses each with a pool and outdoor spa, an events auditorium, and many clubs and activities, Oakmont Village provides residents with an active lifestyle set amid the natural beauty of both mountains and vineyards. For residents who require daily care, the Oakmont Gardens assisted-living apartments are conveniently located within the Oakmont Village community.
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