A $341,000 solar energy system that's expected to provide 70 percent of the power needed at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal should be operational by the end of the month, the Port of San Diego announced Monday.
The 167-kilowatt photovoltaic system at the San Diego's primary docking facility for cruise ships is expected to generate enough energy to power 20 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 187 metric tons annually, according to the port.
"The Port of San Diego demonstrates its commitment to smart technology and clean power with this installation of a photovoltaic system at our main cruise ship terminal, in addition to three other port facilities," Board of Port Commissioners Chairman Marshall Merrifield said. "This Port Environmental Fund improvement project is being completed just as we celebrate growth in our cruise business, with an increase in calls of about 50 percent projected from this season to next."
The project, with 630 panels, is the fourth solar system at a port facility and is expected to double the output of the other three combined, port officials said.
