Kyocera Solar Helps San Diego-Area Firefighters Save Money, Reduce Environmental Impact

Kyocera Solar, Inc. and Sullivan Solar Power announced that they have joined forces to equip San Diego’s North County Fire Protection District (NCFPD) with photovoltaic (PV) solar systems at four fire stations in the Fallbrook, Bonsall and Rainbow communities. Anticipating further increases in utility rates, the NCFPD, which serves approximately 50,000 local residents, chose solar to offset rising energy costs.
 
“This project will insulate the District from future utility rate increases, while promoting an environmentally responsible message in our community,” said Greg Wilson, Battalion Chief for the NCFPD.
 
The four PV systems, totaling 121 kilowatts (kW), are located on East Ivy Street, Winterwarm Drive, Olive Hill Road, and Rainbow Valley Boulevard. Together, they incorporate 431 high-efficiency Kyocera KD320 solar modules, with SunLink ballasted ground mounting systems and SMA power inverters. Collectively capable of generating an estimated 180,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy annually, the systems are expected to pay for themselves within seven years.
 
“We have used Kyocera solar modules on many of our residential and commercial projects, and have had nothing but positive experiences with their long-term reliability,” said Daniel Sullivan, Founder and President of Sullivan Solar Power. “Kyocera solar modules are manufactured in the region, allowing us to be as green as possible by locally sourcing as well.”
 
Sullivan Solar Power is a turnkey solar design and installation company headquartered in San Diego. The local firm won the contract for the solar projects for the North County Fire Protection District in a competitive bidding process last year.
 
The four-system project received rebates from the California Solar Initiative, which offers incentives to non-profit entities, including California’s 800+ fire stations. It was financed with a low-interest loan available only to non-profit and government entities.
 
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our firefighters, who protect our lives and contribute so much to the communities they serve,” said Cecilia Aguillon, Director of Market Development for Kyocera Solar, Inc. “Kyocera is honored that our solar modules are protecting the NCFPD against out-of-control rate increases and saving taxpayer funds.”
 
Special financing for commercial and large-scale solar projects is now available directly from Kyocera. The company is also involved in providing low-interest loans to U.S. home owners for residential solar installations.
 
Kyocera is the only solar module manufacturer to earn the highest rating across all six PV module test categories in GTM Research’s July 2014 PV Module Reliability Scorecard. To learn more about Kyocera’s solar solutions throughout the Americas please contact [email protected] or call 800-223-9580.
 
 
Kyocera 
 
Sullivan Solar Power