Northern Power Systems, a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems, recently agreed to design, engineer, and construct a 401.8kW solar power system at Timberland's 429,000-square-foot Ontario distribution center in Southern California. The system is expected to produce almost 60% of the facility’s electrical load.
The photovoltaic (PV) system will be installed on a new TruckPort steel mounting structure adjacent to Timberland's warehouse. A total of 1,960 PV modules will be mounted on the structure in strings of 14 each.
Under California's Self-Generation Incentive Program, Timberland will be eligible for a rebate of more than $1.5 million. By delivering as much as 60% of the facility's energy needs, the new power system is also expected to create a hedge against potential critical peak pricing surcharges of as much as $1/kWh, which may be put into effect in California over the next several summers.
Timberland will retain all of the green credits associated with the power generated by the system, which represents the value of the emissions-free generation of the PV system compared to the emissions—CO2, SO2 and NOx, particulate matter, and other pollutants—associated with power that would normally come from the grid.
