Morning sunshine this week brings energy to the 266-kilowatt solar panel array atop the County Government Center across the San Lorenzo River in downtown Santa Cruz. Installation of eight solar arrays on Santa Cruz County facilities in 2018, including the County Government Center and Simpkins Swim Center, were estimated to save the county $20 million by 2038. The solar panels were predicted to offset 637 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, equal to the emissions of more than 71,000 gallons of gasoline. The project was paid for by $7.4 million in Clean Renewable Energy Bonds. The bonds are scheduled to be paid off in 17 years, and at the time of installation, County Communications Manager Jason Hoppin told the Sentinel that “the yearly savings will exceed the costs of repayment.”
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