Nation’s Largest PV Installation Launched by S. California Edison

Southern California Edison (SCE) has launched an $875M project to install 250 megawatts of advanced PV hardware atop 65 million square feet of commercial buildings in Southern California. The project, which will represent the nation’s largest PV installation, will generate enough power to serve approximately 162,000 homes.

“This project will turn two square miles of unused commercial rooftops into advanced solar generating stations,” said John E. Bryson, Edison International Chairman and CEO. “We hope to have the first solar rooftops in service by August. The sunlight power will be available to meet our largest challenge – peak load demands on the hottest days.”

The project was prompted by recent advances in solar technology that reduce the cost of installed photovoltaic generation. When combined with SCE’s investment, the resulting costs per unit are projected to be half that of common PV installations in California.

SCE has asked the California PUC for approval to install the PV systems within the next five years. While the Utility is waiting for final approval, however, it will start work immediately on commercial roofs in three fast-growing counties in Southern California.

“These new solar stations, which we will be installing at a rate of one megawatt a week, will provide a new source of clean energy, directly in the fast-growing regions where we need it most,” said Bryson. The modules planned for installation will be connected directly to the local circuit, eliminating the need for new transmission lines.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is enthusiastic about the SCE project. “These are the kinds of big ideas we need to meet California’s long-term energy and climate change goals,” he said. “I urge others to follow in their footsteps. If commercial buildings statewide partnered with utilities to put this solar technology on their rooftops, it would set off a huge wave of renewable energy growth.”