Cops, Firefighters Go Solar

After a summertime delay, the installation of a large photovoltaic solar system is nearly finished on the hillside behind the Public Safety Building. The 119-kilowatt solar array will provide most of the energy for both the police and fire departments, and will be accompanied later this month by a lighting retrofit throughout the building.

"We've always planned to do these two projects together," Police Capt. Jim Wickham said. "It's key to reduce energy use, and then supply that reduced need with solar in order to achieve the greatest energy efficiencies and greenhouse gas reductions."

The installation, conducted by Borrego Solar of Berkeley, is expected to wrap up by the end of the month once it is inspected by Pacific Gas & Electric and a fence is installed around it.

The installation is the largest in Mill Valley, followed by a 26-kilowatt array at Stefano's Solar-powered Pizza on E. Blithedale Avenue. Despite its size - it spans 212 feet at the end closest to the building - the installation was fairly straightforward, according to associate engineer Dick Dudak. Helical piers were screwed into the ground and the solar racks and panels were installed on top of them. 

The system was funded with clean renewable energy bonds, which qualify for federal tax credits. The city's contract with Borrego cost $785,891.

Throughout Mill Valley, solar installations have shown slight growth after a dip in 2009. The city has one of the cheapest and quickest solar permitting systems in Northern California, with permits issued with no city fees and only a $3 state surcharge. Permits can be issued over the counter at City Hall as long as applicants submit three sets of plans and have someone with knowledge of the plan check process.

Here are the number of solar permits issued in Mill Valley each year since 2004:

2004 – 4

2005 – 20

2006 – 19

2007 – 24

2008 – 28

2009 – 19

2010 – 19