In hopes of reaping both economical and environmental benefits, Marshall Medical Center in Cameron Park, Calif., will install a photovoltaic solar system to power its campus.
MMC will use Solar Power, Inc., headquartered in Roseville, Calif., to convert to a system comprised of 3,370 solar modules, which will provide 669 kilowatts of electricity to the facility.
The system will serve Marshall's outpatient services and feature an array of solar panels mounted atop elevated solar structures. The solar structures will also provide shade and weather protection for 200 cars.
"Converting to solar is something I feel very strongly about," said James Whipple, CEO for Marshall Medical Center. "While we will reap financial benefits from doing so, I believe a greater good is also being served. Through our ability to become more self-reliant with solar, we are also significantly reducing our carbon footprint. We have dedicated our lives to healing and view this as an important part of both our mission and our legacy."
Solar Power Partners, Inc. of Mill Valley, Calif., is providing the financing for the installation of the solar facility. SPP is a provider of power purchase agreements for the commercial, institutional municipal and agricultural markets in California.
"We are committed to serving the energy needs of clients like Marshall Medical by providing reliable, long-term financing for renewable solar energy projects through development partners like Solar Power, Inc.," said Alexander V. Welczeck, SPP's co-founder and CEO.
Marshall Medical Center is an independent, nonprofit community healthcare provider. Its locations include Marshall Hospital, a 105-bed acute care facility in Placerville, several outpatient facilities in Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Placerville and Georgetown, and community health and education programs.
"The Marshall Medical Center project is significant to our region," said Steve Kircher, CEO of Solar Power, Inc. "Marshall's facility serves a very large portion of the community and their conversion to solar power is significant. The environmental benefits of a system of this size, coupled with the cost savings the system will deliver to their operations, demonstrate the increasingly important role energy management is playing in every aspect of our lives."
Has you hospital converted to solar power? Have you reaped any benefits so far? E-mail us your story to Associate Editor Molly Merrill at molly.merrill@medtechpublishing.com.