Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar+Storage
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • Solar tariffs
      • COVID-19 News
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractors Corner
      • Installation Practices
      • Trends in Solar
      • Folsom Labs Solar Boot-Up
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Products
    • 2020 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Inverters
      • Manufacturing Locations
    • Racking and Mounting
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • Manufacturing Locations
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2018 Winners
  • Subscribe
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Databases
      • Solar Inverter Models
      • Solar Panel Models
      • Solar Racking Models
      • Battery Storage Models
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Inverter Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Locations
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • COVID-19 NEWS

San Diego senior living community goes green with solar+storage system

By Kelly Pickerel | April 23, 2018

Share

Generations LLC announced the installation of an expansive 527.8-kW PV solar system on its resort-style independent, assisted living and memory care community, Paradise Village, in San Diego’s South Bay. Combining solar with a behind-the-meter (BTM) energy storage system, the energy enhancing project will produce approximately 1 million kWh of electricity per year, about 40% of the campus’ annual electricity usage. In addition, an estimated cost savings of $250,000 in both regular and peak demand usage will be provided from the hybrid solar and low-cost battery storage system.

Generations LLC and NW Photon Energy (NWPE), both of Portland, Oregon, partnered on the project which has been in development for three years. According to Kirk Cameron, President of NW Photon Energy, a leading provider, designer and installer of turnkey PV solar systems on the West Coast, this project became viable as a result of four key factors.

The foremost was a healthy ROI with a payback of less than five years. Helping Paradise Village gain control of its energy expenses and eliminate rising utility increases was the second factor. Paradise Village’s qualification for a CPUC Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) rebate covered approximately 5% of the total project cost and the final factor was Generation’s 10-year refinance of a previous $82 million construction loan through Fannie Mae’s Green Rewards program – the first Green Rewards loan backed by a senior housing property.  This refinance provided exceptional terms and a reduced interest rate which contributed to the aggressive ROI.

According to Chip Gabriel, President of Development for Generations LLC, the business case for solar was clear to them from both a financial and environmental sense. “With a large percentage of a residential housing community’s operating expenses originating from its energy usage, a sustainable approach to property management is crucial for the long term,” he said.  “Adding solar was not only a financial decision but also one framed by the environmental impact that taking care of more than 400 residents creates.” Gabriel views solar as a sustainability enhancement that will allow the company to meet their corporate environmental stewardship goals as well as attract future residents who share their renewable energy objectives.

Generation’s commitment to solar is a continued example of their foresight and approach to property management.  They have identified solar as a means to leverage underutilized roof space to improve operating efficiencies for their buildings.  “Motivated by their desire to help the environment, control facility costs through attractive state incentives and innovative project financing, Generations LLC is creating a model which other senior living communities, property management firms and property owners can embrace,” said Cameron.

The next phase in Generations’ energy management plan involves identifying additional solar project opportunities.  The company recently contracted a third solar system to be installed by NW Photon Energy at its Linfield Village senior living community in Temecula, California.

News item from Generations

About The Author

Kelly Pickerel

Kelly Pickerel is editor in chief of Solar Power World.

Comments

  1. ConfidanTea says

    August 11, 2020 at 11:52 am

    This is a great news because the cost of their electricity will go down. It’ll surely benefit the residents of this assisted living San Diego residence. I’m also interested to get a unit from https://silvergaterr.com/ and I’m hoping to get a unit with this kind of solar + storage system.

    Reply

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

Related Articles Read More >

PowerMarket and Fairstead bring 497-kW of rooftop community solar to Rhode Island affordable housing complex
President Biden plans to re-enter Paris Climate Agreement
Freedom Forever becomes “Platinum Elite” solar + storage partner of Sunrun
2 EDF Renewables utility-scale solar farms begin operation in California

Stay Informed With Great Solar Power Content

Videos Podcasts Webinars Whitepapers

SPW Digital Editions

Solar Power World Digital EditionBrowse the current issue and archived issues of Solar Power World in an easy-to-use, high-quality format. Bookmark, share and interact with the leading solar construction magazine today.

Solar Policy Snapshot

Solar policy differs across state lines and regions. Click to see our monthly roundup of recent legislation and research throughout the country.

Read More >

Popular Posts See More >

Solar investment tax credit extended at 26% for two additional years
Think before trashing: The second-hand solar market is booming
The winners and losers in U.S. solar manufacturing in 2020
The changing state of retiring solar panels
Tweets by @SolarPowerWorld
Solar Power World
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar Articles
  • Top Products
  • Leadership
  • WTWH Media
  • About/Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Subscribe
  • Windpower Engineering & Development

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar+Storage
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • Solar tariffs
      • COVID-19 News
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractors Corner
      • Installation Practices
      • Trends in Solar
      • Folsom Labs Solar Boot-Up
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Products
    • 2020 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Inverters
      • Manufacturing Locations
    • Racking and Mounting
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • Manufacturing Locations
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2018 Winners
  • Subscribe
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Databases
      • Solar Inverter Models
      • Solar Panel Models
      • Solar Racking Models
      • Battery Storage Models
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Inverter Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Locations
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • COVID-19 NEWS