Alameda Power & Telecom's
4 Kilowatt Solar Photovoltaic System

A solar PV system generates clean, renewable electricity from the sun. In 1998, Alameda Power & Telecom installed a 4-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system.

How Does It Work?

Our system consists of 78 Solarex PV panels, that produce electric current. Solar PV panels consist of layers of semiconductor materials which convert sunlight directly into electricity. These panels are installed at the optimum angle to the sun of 40 degrees, (which is Alameda's latitude). This angle affords maximum exposure of panel surface area to the sun, allowing maximum collection of its energy. The system's output feeds directly into Alameda P&T's Service Center where a data logger monitors the performance of the entire system.

Currently, the system is delivering 16 kilowatt hours per day — almost enough electricity for two homes. A solar PV system has an expected lifetime of more than 30 years.

What Did It Cost?

The total cost of the system, (excluding the data collection equipment), was $28,000, a portion of which, $10,400, was provided by a Department of Energy 1995 Utility PV TEAM-UP grant. The cost of PV systems continues to decline as manufacturing costs decrease. Solar PV systems have no fuel costs and are almost maintenance free.

Why Did We Do It?

The project gives Alameda P&T experience in the installation and operation of solar PV systems, and monitoring the system gives us data on how much energy solar PVs can provide year-round in Alameda.

Solar energy is renewable, and has no harmful emissions or fuel costs. As required by the State Legislature, Alameda P&T has already developed a Rate Schedule Rider (Rider NEM: Net Energy Metering) that provides net metering for residential customers with solar PV systems.