Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA’s Photovoltaic Division will provide high-efficiency solar modules for what is expected to be one of California’s largest non-profit photovoltaic projects. The 220-kilowatt (kW) installation will allow the Athenian School in Danville, just east of San Francisco, to meet half of its annual energy needs with clean, reliable solar energy.

The visually unique array will feature 1,300 Mitsubishi Electric 185W solar panels groundmounted in a 30,000 square foot likeness of the School’s trademark “A.” The array will be installed by REC Solar, Inc. and financed and operated by Tioga Energy.

Tioga Energy is financing the project through a SurePath Solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that requires no upfront capital outlay by the School. Under the long-term contract, Tioga will own and operate the system and sell the renewable electricity generated to The Athenian School at predictable rates. As a result, the school expects to reduce its annual energy costs from the system’s first day of operation and for the duration of the PPA.

“Solar power is right for so many reasons, especially in a school environment,” said Gina Heng, director of sales and marketing for Mitsubishi Electric USA, Photovoltaic Division. “Students can experience the benefits of earth-friendly technology on a daily basis, so that in the years ahead they will view solar as a primary – not alternative – source of energy.”

Over the 20-year SurePath PPA, the solar array will avoid generating nearly 12,800 pounds of smog-producing emissions and 66,087,654 pounds of carbon dioxide. The reduction in greenhouse gases alone is the approximate equivalent of avoiding driving 660,000 miles in an average passenger car each year.

In addition to reducing pollutants, the high-efficiency Mitsubishi Electric modules use lead-free solder, eliminating the harmful ingredient commonly used in solder in traditional modules.