August 14, 2006 - Savings from Solar Generated Power Funds Healthcare for Low Income Communities
The $18,000 to $24,000 in savings generated each year will be re-invested in health care services provided to the uninsured. New system also prepares the heath center for blackouts and emergencies.
LOS ANGELES — With the help of The Gas Company, the Department of Water and Power, and several local donors, a nonprofit health center will save money on its energy bills and re-invest those savings back into the health care services it provides.
Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc. (APHCV), a nonprofit community health center just completed the installation of a solar power system on its roof. The solar roof panels will produce 30-40% of its electricity needs and result in an annual savings of approximately $18,000 to $24,000 a year. The savings generated by the solar system are expected to grow each year with expected rate increases, even as government funding for health care remains flat or, in some cases, decreases.
The solar energy system also reduces reliance on fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide - a leading contributor to global climate change as well as childhood and adult respiratory diseases.
Kazue Shibata, Chief Executive Officer of APHCV said, “This project not only enables us to provide more health services, but it also is an opportunity to promote a cleaner and healthier community. I hope that we can promote this kind of partnership among health care providers, environmental groups and policy makers.”
Asian Pacific Health Care Venture installed a 58.1 kW grid-tie solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the health center, which includes approximately 332 units of Shell Solar panels. The panels generate a total output of 52,555 watts, which produces approximately 25% of the current level of electricity usage. In addition, the health care center anticipates 20% of additional savings in electricity from air-conditioning usage, as the solar panels on the roof will insulate the building from the heat caused by the sun.
The APHCV’s solar energy system project goes beyond the energy savings. It includes a solar energy operated battery system that, in emergency situations, provides 6-10 hours of energy supply during the night while continuing to generate energy during the day. The battery gives the health care center the ability and flexibility to operate during blackouts and potential disasters.
