Location: Concord, California System Size: 89 kW Energy Output: 143,000 kWh per year Savings: $27,000 annually Results: CO2 emissions reduced by 199,172 pounds/year (equivalent to 234,563 car miles/year) Success Story PDF

	"We have an extremely energy-hungry data center. By installing a PV system, we've been able to dramatically reduce our consumption of expensive, peak-period electricity." - Sue Twitchel, President

Swinerton Incorporated offers construction services throughout the Western United States to a diverse range of business clients that demand exacting performance. Swinerton has long recognized the importance of employing construction and design practices that achieve the conservation of energy, water, and other resources. To follow up on its commitment to "green" building, the company contracted with EI Solutions to install solar power at its data center in Concord, California.

Because of the mission-critical nature of its data center, Swinerton could not afford to have the facility shut down at any time during the transition to solar power.

Because the actual switchover to the new solar system had to be accomplished without turning off Swinerton's high-voltage electrical supply system, EI Solutions had to plan and execute the installation with extra care. Once the new PV system was totally in place, EI Solutions took the unusual step of making a "live" switch from the regular power grid. Throughout the delicate process, Swinerton was kept apprised of the situation so they knew what to expect every step of the way.

Utilizing detailed energy usage data and solar performance modeling software to estimate potential energy production, EI Solutions engineered a system to replace 34% of the energy consumption for two of Swinerton's buildings. As a result of a carefully tailored savings strategy, the system now saves over 40% on energy bills by taking advantage of time-of-use energy pricing. Utilizing cash rebates, tax credits and other financial benefits, Swinerton expects the system to pay for itself in just under seven years.