A California state prison and a state hospital have switched on solar power, reports the Central Valley Business Times.
Pleasant Valley State Prison and Coalinga State Hospital installed solar power as part of the state’s effort to conserve cost and energy efficiency, the Times reports.
“Our use of solar energy is projected to reduce greenhouse gas CO2 emissions by more than 61,000 metric tons in 2014 and will save taxpayers approximately $78 million in energy costs over the next 20 years,” said Deborah Hysen, acting director of facility planning, construction and management for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the article adds.
Solar is expected to provide 24 percent of the hospital’s electricity during the first year, reports the Fresno Bee. The projects can generate up to 3.22 megawatts of electricity, as part of the state’s efforts to utilize clean technology in the fight against climate change, the article states.