Solar power surge:
Panels cover 3,000 parking spaces at Ocotillo Campus
Intel Corp. unveils a solar array in Chandler large enough to power about 2,000 homes at once. The tech company installed the panels at its Ocotillo Campus on South Dobson Road. The solar panels cover more than 3,000 parking spaces.
Intel Corp. in Chandler will unveil a solar array this week large enough to power about 2,000 homes at once, when the sun is shining on the panels.
The tech company installed the panels at its Ocotillo Campus, at 4500 S. Dobson Road. The panels have a capacity of 7.7 megawatts in direct sunlight. One megawatt is about enough power to supply 250 homes at once.
The solar panels cover more than 3,000 parking spaces. The installation is the largest by any customer of Salt River Project and second only to an 18
megawatt capacity installation at Freeport-McMoRan’s Bagdad mine in Arizona Public Service Co. territory.
“Intel’s partnership and investment in Chandler supports infrastructure, community programs and sustainable uses of water and energy sources,” Chandler Vice Mayor Kevin Hartke said in a statement. “I am excited to celebrate this latest innovation and example of Intel’s commitment to our community.”
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the installation is the second-largest solar project on a corporate carport in the nation.
“This installation is an example of Intel’s continued dedication to make substantial investments in renewable energy and the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility,” said Todd Brady, Intel’s director of global public affairs and sustainability, in a prepared statement.