![PV panels on the roof of buildings of Alcatraz Island.](/sites/default/files/styles/full_article_width/public/2018/09/f55/nps_alcatraz_ftr_1.jpg?itok=h5nfuGSm)
![Lightbulb illustrating 75%.](/sites/default/files/styles/full_article_width/public/2018/09/f55/nps_bulb_75.png?itok=l-EI-X4i)
Prior to 2012, power generation was provided via diesel generators. The volume of diesel fuel shipped to the island has decreased approximately 75% from 2012.
Location | San Francisco, California |
System Type | Photovoltaic (PV) microgrid |
System Size | 305 kW |
Installation Cost | $8.5 million |
Project Completion | 2012 |
Project Savings | 400,000 kWh/year (energy), 337,000 kg/year greenhouse gases (GHG) |
Load Service Area | Cell house building |
Project Champion | Laura Castellini |
FEMP Assistance | Feasibility study, design development, design review, and system performance evaluation |
With $8.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, NPS installed a solar-powered microgrid atop the roof of the main cell house building. The microgrid system integrates the new PV system with diesel generators via digital controllers and inverters to power the island. The surplus of electricity is sent to a special energy storage unit.
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