A new 14.6 kilowatt solar system is being used in the City of Riverside. It is the first non-residential solar system to take advantage of a recently approved solar rebate program for Riverside Public Utilities’ business customers.

The system is installed on the roof of Monster Media Inc., a digital imaging technology and services company. The roof-mounted installation is made up of 96 Mitsubishi 185 watt solar photovoltaic modules and two SMA 7000 inverters. On an average month the system will produce 2,500 kilowatt hours of electricity and offset 2 tons of greenhouse gasses (the equivalent of taking 5 cars off the road).

While this system is not the first business solar project in the City, it will be the first to be able to benefit from Riverside Public Utilities’ new Non-Residential Solar Rebate Program. Under the program, businesses can receive $3.00 per watt installed, up to fifty percent of the project’s total cost. Depending on customer type and usage, rebates can be as high as $500,000. Monster Media’s rebate will be more than $44,000.

Crystal Chessher reports for InstantRiverside.com

Learn more about GAR Labs, another Riverside business that is planning to go solar; click here to watch.

See a Riverside homeowner who is using solar power; click here to watch.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008