Cerritos Now Greener Than Ever

Cerritos is one more step ahead as a lean, green, environmentally-conscious machine.

On Dec. 10, Martifer Solar USA completed installation of a solar energy system on the rooftop of one of two reservoirs located in Cerritos Corporate Yard. It will provide about 50 percent of the electricity at the public works facility's main building.

The 101.72kW photovoltaic array is comprised of more than 700 flexible solar panels. The reservoir itself supplies clean, regulated water to approximately 16,000 homes in Cerritos.

The lifetime environmental benefit equivalent of the system results in more than 5 million pounds of carbon dioxide and savings of nearly $351,250 in electricity costs for the city.

According to Andra Lewis, Martifer Solar's Marketing Coordinator, solar arrays can meet the electrical needs of residential, commercial and municipal clients while saving them a lot of money in overhead costs.

"Photovoltaic systems save money, demonstrate responsible environmental choices, alleviate taxpayer burden and contribute to a sustainable future," Lewis said.

Kanna Vancheswaran, Cerritos' assistant city engineer, said the project was funded by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, which is sponsored by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Cerritos City Council awarded a $499,409 contract to Martifer Solar for the solar energy system.

"It's one of the first that we have done here in the city," Vancheswaran said. "A quarter of the annual usage will come from the system alone. This will be a real benefit, and showcases the city's commitment to green power and sustainability."

Raffi Agopian, CEO of Martifer Solar USA, praised the city's efforts following completion of the project. 

"We worked with a knowledgeable staff who clearly defined their project expectations from the beginning and worked closely with us throughout the execution of the entire project," Agopian said in a news release.

Cerritos Mayor Joseph Cho, Ph.D. said the new installation is another step in the city's commitment to going green.

"From opening the nation's first solar-powered city hall to constructing a 25-mile recycled water distribution system, the City of Cerritos has been in the vanguard of environmental preservation," Cho said in the same news release.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program is intended to assist in projects and programs designed to reduce fossil fuel emission; reduce the total energy use of the eligible entities; improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building and other appropriate sectors and create/retain jobs.