What Is Solar Energy?
Solar energy is power from the sun's rays that reaches the earth. Using photovoltaic cells made from silicon alloys, sunlight can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity. Steam generators using thermal collectors to heat a fluid, such as water, sometimes convert even higher amounts of solar energy into electricity.
What Are the Benefits?
Volatile energy prices have fueled interest in alternatives such as solar energy. Using solar power can help alleviate capacity problems on local utility systems, especially during peak electricity demand periods. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by lowering the use of electricity generated by fossil-fuel power plants.
What Chevron Is Doing
Chevron Energy Solutions, a Chevron subsidiary, is the nation's largest installer of solar energy for education institutions. The company has developed hundreds of projects involving energy efficiency and renewable power for education, government and business customers in the United States since 2000. Examples of recent Chevron projects that use solar power include the largest K–12 solar and energy efficiency project in the United States at the San Jose Unified School District. Chevron Energy Solutions designed, built and operates the 5.5-megawatt system at 14 district sites. The project is expected to save the district more than $25 million and to lower carbon dioxide emissions by more that 100,000 metric tons — equivalent to planting more than 1,400 acres of trees.
Another example is the largest solar installation at an institution of higher learning in North America, at the Contra Costa Community College District in California. Chevron Energy Solutions installed a 3.2-megawatt system comprising photovoltaic panels mounted on 34 parking canopies at three campuses. The project is part of an effort to bring energy efficiency and solar programs to the district's campuses. It's expected to save the district more than $70 million over 25 years.
Forty miles from Bakersfield, California, in the San Joaquin Valley, Chevron Energy Solutions, in collaboration with Energy Conversion Devices Inc., completed the installation of the first photovoltaic facility in California to help power oil-field operations. Called Solarmine, the 500-kilowatt, six-acre (24,280-sq-m) facility is a showcase for flexible, amorphous-silicon solar panels. These panels are good candidates for commercial roofing and other large applications that require flexibility and resilience.
On the U.S. East Coast, Chevron Energy Solutions collaborated with the University of Buffalo on the installation of a 73.5-kilowatt photovoltaic system.
Chevron Energy Solutions also develops projects for the federal government. In 2006, the company completed the U.S. Postal Service's largest solar power and energy-efficiency project at its mail-processing center in Oakland, California. The project, which included the installation of energy-efficient equipment, is reducing the facility's power purchases by more than a third. The 910-kilowatt solar power system spans a rooftop area nearly the size of two football fields and will help meet electric demand during peak periods. Chevron Energy Solutions has installed other renewable power and energy efficiency systems for the U.S. Postal Service at locations throughout Northern California.
Chevron Energy Solutions was recently awarded a master contract by the U.S. Department of Energy to work with federal agencies to reduce energy and water consumption and increase the government's use of renewable energy.
Updated: March 2009