NO! We did not paint our building green, but we did make it environmentally correct -- electrically that is.

This web page is to serve as a graphical progress report of the installation of a 99.7 kW Solar electrical generation system at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center. This system was engineered and installed by SPG Solar Inc. At this time (March, 2005) this is the largest electrical co-generation system installed in Oakland, California.

The cost of the system is estimated at $800,000, half of which is being covered by a grant under PG&E's Self-Generation Incentive Program. The heart of the system is comprised of 636, 185 Watt solar photovoltaic panels by Sharp, one Xantrex 100 kW inverter and a transformer capable of handling 99,704 Watts, AC. The cost savings to the Center over the 25 year system warranty is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 million. That is, if the cost of electricity increases only 4% annually. The anticipated lifetime of a panel is 40 years.

Construction commenced on February 15, 2005, with the delivery of panel rack material and a "port-a-potty" -- all the important things. Official "roof breaking" (as no ground was broken) occurred on Tuesday, February 22, with the arrival of a crane suitable to hoist the panel rack components onto the roof, which was 100+ feet above the parking lot. The system was completed and cut over to PG&E on May 15, 2005.

For additional information on the Self-Generation Incentive Program, please visit PG&E's website: www.pge.com/biz/rebates.

Following are some pictures and slideshow of the project, which are selected to document progress of the system's installation. An attempt has been made to present these in chronological order, and in a sequence that tells the system's story.

All credits and complements for this photographic effort must go to Brother Robert Baird of the Oakland Scottish Rite, and Nicole Clock, Energy Consultant, SPG Solar Inc. (formerly "Sun Power & Geothermal Energy Co. Inc.").

Being the first major, and largest electrical co-generation system in Oakland, Oakland Mayor, Honorable Jerry Brown was quick to compliment the managers of the Oakland Scottish Rite Center and express a strong desire that other Oakland facilities will be following this lead. Pictured, from left are: Dan Thompson, President, SPG Solar Inc.; Clyde Minar, President, Board of Directors, Oakland Scottish Rite (OSR) Center; Don Parker, Past President, OSR (and past Oakland Deputy Fire Chief); Alex Kirkpatrick, Building Manager, OSR Center; and our own Honorable Jerry Brown.

Even though, not a warm summer morning, many well-wishing and curious members and wives gathered around to hear the Mayor speak and watch the crane work. Unfortunately, the exciting work is taking place approximately 100 feet above the parking lot surface -- beyond the view of spectators.

First, it is generated in the solar panels. This happens when rays from the sun, together with key components of the solar panel come together to cause electrons to become excessively excited, thereby creating an electromotive force. Even on days when it appears to be clouded over, there may still be enough ultra-violet sneaking through to cause a considerable amount of electricity to be generated.

The backbone of this solar electrical generation system consist of 636, Sharp mono-crystalline photovoltaic panels, each producing 185 Watts of electricity. The size of a panel is approximately 3 ft. by 5 ft., and weighs approximately 35 pounds. While these panels are guaranteed for 25 years, the anticipated lifetime of one of these panels is estimated to be 40 years.

The total output from these panels is 600 volts, Direct Current (DC). In this form, the electricity is not in suitable form to be introduced to the PG&E power grid, or to be used by our building. It, therefore, must be converted to Alternating Current (AC). On their way to PG&E, the first stop for these solar inspired electrons is the inverter.

In the beginning, the roof was empty and bleak, serving only to protect us from the vicissitudes and inclemency of the seasons. Then, an Energy Consultant from SPG Solar, Inc. took a look and said, "I have a way to put that empty space to better use" ... and so it began.