Scheduled for completion in the summer of 2014, the solar generation project is expected to eliminate 1.8 million pounds of carbon dioxide annually, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data for the region. The system is expected to generate 1,800 megawatt-hours of electricity per year.

The Palmdale solar project requires no upfront capital from the city; Solar firm PsomasFMG worked with the city to develop the project. Constellation is financing the project’s development and will own and operate the system. Palmdale will purchase the electricity generated by the system at a fixed-rate through a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation. The city estimates that it will save more than $40,000 in electricity costs during the first year of the system’s operation.

“We are very proud of what this project is going to accomplish,” said Jim Ledford, Palmdale Mayor. “It not only will save the taxpayer money, but it will help the city meet its Greenhouse Gas reduction requirements and goals, and allow us to keep our Renewable Energy Credits for future use. We’re also proud that we took the extra steps to make these structures more aesthetically appealing by adding color and architectural features so that they are visually compatible with their surroundings.”

Located on three sites, Palmdale’s Civic Center, DryTown Water Park and Marie Kerr Park, the solar power arrays will comprise approximately 3,200 photovoltaic panels located on shade structures, which were designed to blend with the look and feel of the city’s surroundings.

“We are very pleased that the city of Palmdale’s leadership has considered both the financial and environmental health of the city by installing solar power at three locations,” said Paul Mikos, president, PsomasFMG. “With no capital outlay, the city will reduce its ever increasing utility bill and its carbon footprint at the same time.”