FIVE YEARS IN, SOLANO’S ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM POWERS EQUIVALENT OF 921 HOMES, PUTS OVER $2.6M BACK INTO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

February 05 2019

(Fairfield, California – February 5, 2019) – Solano Economic Development Corporation’s Solano Energy Watch program, in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), has saved Solano County local governments and businesses a cumulative 12,426,010KWH – the equivalent of 921 homes’ energy use for one year.

 

Since its inception in 2014, the program has provided $1,808,087.00 in rebates, and put $2,624,491.00 back into the local government and business community through recurring energy savings as of figures through year-end 2018. The program serves local governments and small to medium sized businesses as well as non-profits and special districts who are Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) customers.

 

Solano Energy Watch (SEW) delivers comprehensive energy evaluations and retrofit projects for lighting, HVAC and refrigeration. SEW Provides information, rebates, and access to zero percent financing through PG&E’s On Bill Financing. There is no cost to the customer for an evaluation, and in some cases, rebates cover the entire cost of the project. SEW will manage the entire process from evaluation to obtaining bids as well as processing rebates. Its mission is simple: save the businesses and local governments of Solano County energy and money.

 

One SEW customer, the County of Solano, was able evaluate 41 facilities and has completed projects for 16 sites which is estimated to save over $120,000 per year in recurring energy cost. Solano Energy Watch provided rebates of approximately $140,000 towards updating lighting to LED.

 

James Kremko, Facilities Operations Manager for the County of Solano said “It was a pleasure working with Solano Energy Watch/Solano Economic Development Corporation on energy efficiency measures. The team was professional and well-versed in PG&E rebates and incentives. The projects were well-planned and executed resulting in immediate reduction in utility consumption.  The projects resulted in reduced labor hours associated with demand maintenance associated with lighting fixtures and bulbs. I would recommend partnering with this organization to reduce your energy consumption.”

 

CDI Companies, a commercial properties developer and manager, recently completed a large interior and exterior project impacting several buildings at Busch Campus Park in Fairfield, including the buildout of a business incubator and co-working space. The company earned over $28,000 in rebates, zero percent financing, and savings that are estimated to exceed $53,000 in recurring energy cost. Tristan Ruiz, Asset Manager for CDI said “Although energy efficiency has always been important to us, we would not have been able to perform a project of this magnitude without Solano Energy Watch. They handled everything from finding the right products, the right contractor and processed all of the paperwork as well.”

 

For more information, to profile a participating business, or to see additional program statistics by city, please contact J. Paul Harrington at jpaul@solanoedc.org or by phone at 707-864-1855.

 

Solano Energy Watch is funded by California utility customers and administered by PG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

 

 

ABOUT SOLANO EDC

The Solano Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a public-private, nonprofit, dedicated to the economic growth of Solano County – scaling local traded sector industries, attracting new jobs and investment and maintaining competitive advantages for both existing and new businesses. The EDC provides confidential site location assistance to new businesses seeking to locate in Solano County. Pulling from the large and diverse portfolio of buildings and sites throughout the county, the EDC will prepare a comprehensive package of space opportunities, workforce and other resources that will assist the business in their decision process. The EDC will connect businesses to key contacts at the cities. The cities will facilitate location and permitting assistance, workforce development and education, financing, and incentive programs, such as energy savings.