Baker Electric provided electrical design and installation under General Contractor Reno Contracting, Inc. to deliver the 317.4 kW ground mount PV system to Two Bunch Palms Elementary School. The solar energy facility includes 920 SunPower solar panels, 12 inverters, and a DRAKER PV monitoring communication system. The electrical system is one of two installed within the Palm Springs Unified School District. The installation not only benefits the school directly but also provides the district with increased energy efficiency and significant financial savings.

Baker Electric installed the complete 242 kW solar PV system consisting of carport solar shade structures, electrical equipment concrete pad, lighting, inverter-direct PV monitoring and metering communication, and power interconnection to the existing utility grid. This system was installed on three newly constructed parking lot shade structures in an existing parking lot, which included 1,104 Sharp solar panels, combiner box, monitoring/metering equipment and inverters. This project required advanced coordination to meet a demanding schedule in a remote location.

Baker Electric installed this 243 kW system at Hunter Industries in San Marcos, CA. The system includes 972 panels that are mounted among two roofs and between many sky lights.

Hunter Industries announced on April 9, 2015 that their Building 1840 System 2 solar generation public view web site was now on line at: https://solarems.net/kiosks/296. Contact us today for the installation of Baker Solar in San Marcos, CA.

To cut Hunter Industry’s greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2020 and to become more energy independent, they wanted to increase their renewable energy portfolio. Hunter wanted to leverage the 267 days of sunshine per year that their Southern California location receives, which is a great source of renewable energy. To help them achieve their goal, Hunter chose Baker and we installed almost 1,000 panels, resulting in a 243 kW system.

Hunter Industries found that potentially 40 percent of rooftop space could be used for new installations. That is 140,000 square feet of available space for additional solar. Hunter had been wanting to expand the solar system already in place on the distribution center roof. Seven years after constructing the distribution center, Hunter chose Baker Electric to install another 972 panels to the original 504 panel rooftop system. Total power production for both systems is now 300 kW VAC.

Tony Evans, Baker-Electric Supervisor said, “This is the biggest kilowatt install I have managed. The hardest part of adding solar to the distribution center which is already covered with panels, was working 315 skylights and 99 smoke hatches.”

In addition to Baker’s installation of this 243 kW system, Hunter now produces three quarters of a megawatt of solar energy campus. Hunter generates enough solar for 50 percent of the energy needed to power Hunter’s distribution center, and 35 percent of the energy needed for their products and buildings. With more than 2,000 solar panels (almost half of them installed by Baker) on campus, they continue to look for more installation opportunities to maximize their savings and protect the environment.

The Challenge:

Founded in 1986, Full Swing Golf is the leader in golf simulation technology for entertainment and training performance. With Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth as ambassadors, the company’s golf simulators feature more than 90 championship courses delivering the ultimate indoor golf experience. Golf Digest selected Full Swing Golf as its 2016 Editors’ Choice for Best Swing & Game Analyzer.

“As a designer and manufacturer of golf simulators trusted by the pros, we wanted to identify a solar provider with the same commitment to excellence and customer service,” said Full Swing Partner and Senior Vice President, Brian Arnold. “We did a lot of homework. After meeting with a number of representatives, Baker Electric Solar had the best reputation. They came to the table with an innovative and highly customized solution. We do look at price, but more than anything we wanted longevity. Baker aced that with more than 75 years in San Diego.”

The Solution:

Baker Electric Solar, a full-service solar company, designed and installed a 59.89 kW rooftop solar system for San Diego-based Full Swing™ Golf. The installation of 226 solar modules will produce roughly 80 percent of the company’s annual electricity needs and save the company more than $20,000 on its energy costs the first year. The Full Swing Golf 21,000 square foot facility is located at 10890 Thornmint Road, San Diego, California.

“Just as Full Swing Golf’s quality sets itself apart from other golf simulator technology firms, we pride ourselves on delivering our commercial customers world-class solar panels and superior customer service,” said Baker’s Director of Commercial Solar, Scott Williams. “After a detailed analysis of Full Swing Golf’s electric usage we provided an energy-saving solar solution for their specific requirements and long-term financial goals.”

The Result:

According to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, Full Swing Golf’s new solar system will save the equivalent of annual greenhouse gas emissions from 136,337 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle. It will offset CO2 emissions from 6,443 gallons of gasoline consumed or 61,506 pounds of coal burned.

The Challenge:

“With electricity being one of our largest expenditures, the solar system will save us money–helping us keep the doors open–serving more than 6,000 registered members,” said CEO Marineke Vandervort. “We want to lead by example. Adding solar demonstrates our investment in eco-technology—reducing our environmental footprint while educating our members about the benefits of renewable energy.”

The Solution:

Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguito’s use of creative financing using a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The PPA required no capital expenditure by the BGCSD, and they receive immediate savings from the solar energy produced by the system. During the 25-year PPA period, the system’s operations and maintenance is completely covered by the PPA provider. A key benefit of a solar PPA is that it provides a fixed, predictable cost of electricity for the duration of the agreement. PPAs also allow non-profit organizations to take advantage of lucrative solar tax incentives.

“Going solar is helping non-profit organizations all over Southern California reduce their environmental impact and improve their bottom line at the same time,” said Baker’s Director of Commercial Solar, Scott Williams. “The BGCSD solar system’s $1.3M cumulative savings will go far towards assuring the clubs’ mission continues to thrive over the next 25 years.”

The Result:

Boys & Girls Club of San Dieguitos’ designed and installed solar system will save the organization approximately 30% savings on its annual electricity spend based on past consumption–saving an estimated $11,000. Over the 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) warrantied period, cumulative electricity savings will be approximately $1.3M. Baker used a rooftop-carport configuration for the solar system. The BGCSD Clubhouse is located at 533 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, California.

“Going solar is helping non-profit organizations all over Southern California reduce their environmental impact and improve their bottom line at the same time,” said Baker’s Director of Commercial Solar, Scott Williams. “The BGCSD solar system’s $1.3M cumulative savings will go far towards assuring the clubs’ mission continues to thrive over the next 25 years.”