In keeping with its commitment to transform UTC (University Town Center) into one of the greenest shopping centers in the country, Westfield today powered up the first major solar photovoltaic array on a regional shopping center in San Diego County.
“The new UTC will be a model for green development in the shopping center industry, and powering up today’s solar project is the latest example of Westfield’s commitment to leading sustainability efforts here in San Diego,” said Jonathan Bradhurst, Senior Vice President Development, San Diego. “Our customers enjoying a meal at the food court or coming out to skate will be using clean, green, renewable energy generated right above their heads.”
The solar rooftop project is part of the enhanced green program for the New UTC, the $900 million planned revitalization approved by the City Council in July, 2008.
The 100-kilowatt solar array, developed in partnership with Resource Energy Systems was installed by SPG Solar with modules produced by Sharp. The array will provide approximately 50 percent of the power requirements for the common areas of the mall’s ice rink and food court. Generating this power through renewable photovoltaics (PV) will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 250,000 pounds per year, which is like planting more than 30 acres of trees.
The New UTC is one of the first projects in the country to achieve Gold-level approval from the U.S. Green Building Council under its pilot LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Neighborhood Development) program. Also planned for Westfield UTC are solar PV arrays on top of new parking structures and potentially more on the retail rooftops. In conjunction with many other energy-efficiency measures, innovative water conservation strategies, alternative transportation choices, waste reduction and use of sustainable construction techniques, the New UTC project will set a high standard for green development in San Diego and in the shopping center industry nationwide.
“We are very pleased to have played an integral role in providing renewable energy to UTC” said Scott Reinstein, Chief Operating Officer of Resource Energy Systems. “The Westfield Group has long maintained a strong commitment to the environment. We look forward to working with them in providing solar energy systems at their other shopping centers across the nation.”
“Sharp is very pleased to be helping Westfield realize its goal of reducing its carbon footprint – and achieve sustainability,” said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group.
“SPG Solar values the opportunity to work with Westfield and Resource Energy Systems, and contribute to the success of Westfield’s New UTC LEED-ND program, “ said Edward C. Orrett, PE Senior Account Executive, SPG Solar.