Intel campus in Folsom unveils sprawling solar power carport

Intel Corp. officials hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies Tuesday, marking the completion of a sprawling, 6.5-megawatt solar carport at Intel’s Folsom campus.

The array is being billed as the largest corporate solar carport in the United States, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Solar Energy Industries Association.

Tuesday’s festivities included Rep. Ami Bera, D-Elk Grove, Folsom Mayor Steve Miklos and officials with Intel and San Mateo-based SolarCity, which has installed solar power infrastructure on Intel’s Folsom campus in three phases, 1.2 megawatts, 1 megawatt and 6.5 megawatts.

Bera cited Intel’s “longtime commitment to being a global leader in renewable energy and sustainability investment.”

The carport brings the Intel campus overall solar output to 8.7 megawatts. At peak capacity, Intel said the solar systems generate over more than 50 percent of the campus energy usage.

Overall, it is one of the largest private solar panel installations in California.

“In addition to powering the equivalent of nearly 1,000 homes for a year, the new panels will provide shade for an additional 2,500 employee parking spaces and an additional 16 electric vehicle charging stations,” said Intel spokeswoman Grace Davis.

Intel Corp.’s research campus in Folsom is one of the region’s largest employers, with around 6,000 workers.

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