The Challenge:
The Jewish Family Service was faced with two challenges:
- Save money on electricity in order to reduce operating costs and reinvest more money into the community.
- Become an example of environmental steward-ship.
By moving to solar energy, JFS anticipated redirect-ing the cost savings to extended education and outreach. It would also allow the human services agency to achieve its goal of being an example of environmental stewardship in their community. “As a Jewish agency we are guided by the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam – a concept defined by acts of kindness performed to perfect or repair the world. We are committed to being a responsible steward of our community, environment and planet,” said CFO of Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Guinevere A. Kerstetter, CGMA.
The Solution:
Baker Electric Solar designed and installed a 216 kilowatt rooftop solar system consisting of 864 panels on two buildings for Jewish Family Service.
Through daily communication, professionalism, quality of materials and monitored safety measures, Baker was able to set their work apart from the competition. Hughes Marino, Inc. Construction Management provided JFS with three solar companies to interview for the design and installation of its solar system. After a comprehensive review, they chose Baker Electric Solar.
The Result:
JFS directly reinvests the financial savings that come from their solar system into programs which serve San Diegans. The agency sees a 70 percent reduction in their annual electricity bills based on past consumption and saves an estimated $76,000 per year. JFS’s solar system will provide them with millions of dollars in savings over the life of their system. When combined with the California Solar Initiative rebate of more than $147K, the solar system will provide more than $2.5M in net savings to the agency over the 25-year warranted life of the solar modules.
In addition, JFS’s system offsets the annual CO2 equivalent of 572,792 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle and emissions from 255,032 pounds of coal per year.
The Jewish Family Service solar project is now in direct alignment with its mission to build a stronger, healthier and more resilient San Diego.
