Normally, construction of a carport is nothing out of the ordinary. Construction of a new, 70 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic carport that will save the Janet Goeske Senior Center $20,000 off its annual utility bills is definitely a big deal to Riverside’s senior citizens.

The Janet Goeske Senior Center Photovoltaic Carport Project was dedicated June 1, 2006 by Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge, Councilmember Art Gage Ward 3, Riverside Public Utilities General Manager Dave Wright, and Janet Goeske Foundation Chairman Mike Grabendike.

Project Highlights Include:

• Photovoltaic Project: Janet Goeske Senior Center Photovoltaic Carport
• $1.4 million from Utility Public Benefits Funds
• 70 kilowatts PV generation to offset peak loads at the Community Center Carport
• Construction began Fall 2005; Completed June 1, 2006

This is the third photovoltaic carport project constructed by Riverside Public Utilities and the eighth photovoltaic project in all. The $1.4 million construction cost is entirely paid with state-mandated public benefits funds.

The 1,392 photovoltaic panels mounted on the carport will provide enough clean, renewable power to the Center to reduce electric bills by approximately $500,000 over the next 25 years.

The carport also will displace over 5,000 tons of greenhouse gasses and air pollutants over the next 25 years.

Construction of the project is complete and a monitoring kiosk has been placed in the lobby for residents to view energy production from the solar panels. View the Goeske Energy Production Monitoring System.