When we think of all the businesses and institutions that we'd like to see embrace renewable energy, prisons don't immediately pop to mind, but huge correctional facilities require a lot of electricity to run and the large flat spaces they most often occupy make them perfect for solar power.
Most recently, two Illinois correctional facilities in Merced County have announced that they'll be running on solar power. Two arrays consisting of 6,272 solar panels located on land adjacent to the two facilities have a capacity of 1.4 MW and will be able to provide 70 percent of the facilities' peak electricity consumption and all of the power during off-peak times.
The arrays plus new energy-efficient lighting systems being installed will reduce CO2 emissions by 999.85 tons. The cost savings will be substantial too. The county expects to save $300,000 a year on energy costs creating a positive cash flow that could total $9 million in 25 years.
Four California correctional facilities announced in October that they'd be installing solar arrays as well. All put together the four arrays will have a capacity of 25 MW and save taxpayers $57 million over 20 years.
via Care 2
