Politics & Government
Massive Clean Energy System Unveiled at Camp Pendleton
More than 200 solar panels, part of an Obama initiative to create clean energy, were the subject of a ribbon-cutting Thursday at Camp Pendleton.
The U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, in conjunction with Synergy Electric Co., unveiled a 1.48-megawatt, $9.4-million photovoltaic system today.
The Box Canyon solar energy system stretches over 6 acres and will provide electricity for more than 400 homes on the base.
The green project, built by 20 IBEW Local 569 union workers along with Synergy Electric Co., in partnership with Draker Laboratories, was built on an inactive landfill.
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The base itself is now on the largest swath of undeveloped coastal land in Southern California.
“Its just like a Marine to say, 'This looks like a great view. Let's put our trash here,' ” base commander Col. Nicholas F. Marano joked about the former landfill under his feet.
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The land on which Camp Pendleton sits was purchased for $4.1 million in 1941—half as much as the total solar project cost to install.
The solar project is part of a mandate by the federal government to reduce total energy use at the base 30 percent by 2015.
The photovoltaic system will supply 10 percent of the total energy needed for the base.
During the construction, over “1,900 man-hours, there was zero loss time for accidents,” said Capt. Mike Williamson of the Navy who, along with Marano, headed the project.
Considered outstanding by most safety standards, the zero lost time was “not unusual by our standards” said project manager Jerry Zapata, 40, of IBEW Local 569.
“Thirty hours of nothing but safety training is a requirement,” he added.
The funds for the project are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act created by President Barack Obama.
The project “wasn’t without challenges,” said Synergy owner Diane Kelter. “Our suppliers were unable to supply materials on timely basis.”
Rules regulating construction on a landfill also had to be followed.“Nothing was allowed to be put into the ground,” Marano said.
In addition to the large solar panels, 36 light poles with smaller panels were also unveiled.
