The Energy Alternatives Division of San Jose, Calif.-based Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CEI) recently announced the completion of a 1MW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Berths 93A and B of the Port of Los Angeles’ World Cruise Ship Terminal in Southern California. The project was engineered and constructed by CEI while the World Cruise Center remained fully operational. Construction was complete on the project in June 2010.
“We are excited to unveil the live solar system at the Port of Los Angeles designed and built by CEI, which harnesses the power of the plentiful Southern California sun to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality and increase economic opportunities for Los Angeles businesses and residents,” says Geraldine Katz, Ph.D., Port of Los Angeles executive director “The new PV system at the port underscores our commitment to using the latest technologies to establish one of the greenest seaports in North America.”
The 71,500 sq.-ft. roof-mounted solar PV system designed and installed by CEI contains high-efficiency crystalline modules and uses a self-ballasted racking system that does not penetrate the terminal’s roof. The solar project is part of the City of Los Angeles’ Solar LA Program, one of the world’s largest solar power projects undertaken by a single city. Over its lifetime, the solar system will reduce the port’s carbon footprint by nearly 22,838 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent of cutting the annual greenhouse gases of 4,367 cars, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
“Working with one of the world’s largest ports to safely meet its carbon footprint reduction goals and help demonstrate its renewable energy leadership was an honor,” says John Curcio, VP for CEI. “This project’s success is due in large part to the close communication we had between the knowledgeable Port of Los Angeles staff, our in-house engineering department and our safety-focused project management team jointly dedicated to efficiently delivering a turn-key, 1MW solar PV system.”
