The City of Santa Barbara broke ground today on a a 384-kilowatt solar electric system. The city has selected two companies, Tioga Energy and EI Solutions, to design, build and fund the system.

Santa Barbara's municipal administrators set exacting requirements for the project, which will use roof space on the city's corporation yard. Tioga and EI Solutions were able to make a plan that met the aesthetic requirements of Santa Barbara's historic sector, as well as the financial and operational needs of the city.

EI Solutions will deploy the solar panels — 1,830 Suntech 210-watt solar panels — that will offset a portion of the corporate yard's power needs. Tioga Energy will operate the installation under the terms of a "power purchase agreement" with the City of Santa Barbara. Tioga and EI Solutions have previously worked together, and they announced last week a plan to install a solar power system at US Airways Center, the home of the Phoenix Suns.

"We are very pleased to enter this arrangement with EI Solutions and Tioga Energy," said Jim Dewey, facilities and energy manager for the City of Santa Barbara. He added that the company can "structure a deal that will guarantee long-term economic and environmental value to our city."

Image — EI Solutions