Source: Chevron Energy Solutions

Chevron Energy Solutions and the City of Brea in California have unveiled Orange County's largest municipal solar installation. The effort is part of a comprehensive energy efficiency and solar project expected to generate an estimated $13 million in net savings over the 25-year project, plus significant environmental benefits. The savings have been immediate and the City has already seen results exceeding expectations. One early example is a 65% reduction in electricity costs at the Brea Community Center for the month of June. At the Civic & Cultural Center the reduction was 35%.

By using the sun to generate its own power, the city projected to reduce its electrical utility costs by an average 40 percent and its carbon emissions by 86,000 metric tons; comparable to removing 16,000 cars from the road. During construction, the project also provided more than 25 local jobs and 125 indirect jobs with an estimated $3 million boost to the local economy.

"The City of Brea's work with Chevron Energy Solutions will save millions of taxpayer dollars by cutting our energy consumption," said City of Brea Mayor Roy Moore of the project. "This project positions Brea as an environmental leader in the county, and demonstrates fiscal responsibility by investing in long-term, sustainable projects that will benefit our community for decades to come."

Solar panels at Brea Community Center, Brea Civic and Cultural Center and Reservoir City Pump Yard will generate a total of 1.8 megawatts of power. Chevron designed and installed the solar systems and will operate, maintain and guarantee the systems' performance for the city. Solar power at the reservoir in the city maintenance yard is expected to mitigate future pumping costs. Chevron also implemented a citywide street lighting upgrade, interior and exterior lighting retrofits, and improvements to heating, ventilating, air conditioning and energy management controls to further improve the city's energy efficiency.

"The City of Brea – one of the smallest cities in the county – is now the largest producer of solar energy in Orange County," said Jim Davis, president of Chevron Energy Solutions. "Through this project, Brea has become a leader in energy efficiency in the county. It is a testament to the city's ability to put words into action by using clean, renewable power to save energy and costs."

Chevron Energy Solutions is the leading installer of solar projects and integrated, comprehensive energy efficiency projects for schools and cities in California. At a time when municipal budgets are shrinking, the energy company is uniquely capable of helping cities and school districts cut energy costs to help preserve critical services.