FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 25, 2019
Press Contact: Kalicia Pivirotto, Marketing Manager
(415) 464-6036 | kpivirotto@mcecleanenergy.org
SAN RAFAEL and CONCORD, Calif. — MCE and American Solar celebrate the completion of MCE Solar Charge, MCE’s newest, local community energy project. MCE Solar Charge includes an 80kW PV solar system powering 10 Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that are open to the public at MCE’s San Rafael office. Two ADA-accessible ports will also be open to the public.
The project, built by Marin-based American Solar Corporation, will generate approximately 120,000 kWh per year and will support up to 10 charging sessions at a time. MCE partnered with the Transportation Authority of Marin and Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Charge! Program to fund these 10 EV charging ports. MCE contributed funds to make required infrastructure upgrades, and is buying the power from the solar system under a PPA with American Solar.
EVs that charge at MCE Solar Charge stations will receive 100% renewably-powered electricity in two ways:
- When the sun is shining, the charging stations will draw energy from the solar array.
- Any other time, MCE’s Deep Green 100% renewable energy will be used to support electricity needs with a mix of 50% wind and 50% solar.
Any excess energy generated by the project will be used to offset MCE’s usage in our adjacent office building.
“MCE Solar Charge is a great example of MCE’s mission in action,” said Dawn Weisz, CEO of MCE. “Local labor was used to complete this community energy project, which provides 100% renewably-powered EV charging. MCE is pleased to be able to contribute more public EV charging stations, further reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, as well as be a resource for other entities looking to provide this amenity for their employees and the public.”
Companies within MCE’s service area provided materials for the project, including solar panels from Richmond-based Sunpower Corporation. Other system components and materials like concrete and fencing were all sourced from companies within MCE’s service area, much of it within a few miles of MCE’s San Rafael location. Nearly all of the materials were fabricated and assembled in the U.S.
“MCE’s commitment to paying prevailing wages and hiring locally sets an important standard that not only supports the local economy by using local vendors, but also creates a standard that can be replicated by other CCAs and utilities across the state,” said Charlie Gregg, Director of Commercial Projects, American Solar Corporation. “And as a PV and EV installer, we’re proud to play a part in MCE’s growth as they bring green energy to homes, businesses, and even transportation.”
MCE Solar Charge is complemented by MCE’s Electric Vehicle Program, MCEv, which provides incentives for workplace and multifamily EV charging stations around MCE’s service areas, as well as rebates for low income customers to buy new or used electrical vehicles. With the completion of MCE Solar Charge, MCE has funded and supported 644 EV charging ports, targeting workplace and multi-unit dwellings across our service area. This is the 10th local solar energy project that MCE has completed in our service area.
MCE’s works closely with a wide range of partners to leverage resources and funds to support transportation electrification, and ensure that infrastructure is available to support more EVs across our service area. MCE’s partners include PG&E, Air Districts, County transportation agencies, State of California, and Electrify America.
MCE’s decision to install publicly-available charging was influenced by an EPA-funded study of our service area showing a significant gap in EV charging infrastructure. Over the past year, MCE’s EV charging program, MCEv, and our own investments in workplace charging have contributed to closing that gap by over 40 percent.
###
About MCEv: MCE’s rebate programs for EV charging stations are designed to help workplace and multifamily properties save at least 50 percent on hardware and installation costs. MCE’s EV charging programs cover both large and small charging stations (from 2 to 20+ charging ports), and are available to workplaces and multi-family properties with four or more units. MCE’s Board of Directors recently approved an extension of MCE’s transportation electrification program (more details forthcoming). For more information or to enroll in MCE’s EV programs, visit mceCleanEnergy.org/ev-charging.
About American Solar Corporation: American Solar is a local, family-owned company that cares deeply about the community and the environment. As a clean energy expert in photovoltaic solar systems, battery energy storage, and EV Chargers, we are passionate about providing cutting-edge energy solutions for our clients while improving the world we live in. We work closely with our clients to understand their specific financial, aesthetic, environmental and business objectives, and to develop solutions that satisfy and exceed their expectations. We work with homeowners, businesses, schools, houses of worship and non-profits to create environmental and economic sustainability.
On the leading edge of the smart energy revolution and with over 30 years of accumulated expertise in our field, we have completed over 100 Megawatts of solar and related clean energy projects to date. And we are not done. We envision a future where our communities are using energy systems that are as smart as they are beautiful. For more information, call or visit our website: 415-868-1111, Sales@AmericanSolar.Net.
Download Press Release (pdf)
