Project Overview
Project location	Burbank, CA
System Completion	October 2007
Solar System Type	Non-Penetrating Roof Mount
Total System Size	54kW-DC
System Configuration
PV modules used	270 GE200W
Inverters	Two - 100kW Xantrex
System Tilt	16°
Performance Facts¹
Estimated annual production	78,697 kWh
Environmental benefits, annually²
Greenhouse gases reduction (CO2)	123,459 lbs
Oil not consumed	130 barrels
Gasoline not consumed	6,356 gallons
Coal not burned	0.3 railcars
Cars not driven	10.3 cars

Sources
¹PV Watts Solar Energy Calculator (http://www.pvwatts.org)
²U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html)

When it came to Solar, Jay Leno chose Premier Power

BACKGROUND

When it comes to celebrity or privacy, Jay Leno, host of The Tonight Show on NBC, has found ways to enjoy both. The website for his Big Dog Garage has this opening statement: Welcome to the Big Dog Garage: “Somewhere in Southern California…”

CHALLENGE

Keeping the specific location of his Big Dog Garage private is a caveat to which all vendors, suppliers and contractors must adhere when doing business with Leno’s automotive collection and restoration operation. This stipulation held as true as ever regarding the installation of the Garage’s first solar energy system.

PARTHNERING WITH GE

Chriss Molello, West Coast Sales Manager of General Electric’s Solar Energy Division, worked directly with Jay, helping him understand the garage’s energy consumption, tax incentives and rebate options. With Jay onboard, Chriss began developing the project’s requirements, then brought in Premier Power Renewable Energy, Inc. to design, engineer and install the garage’s solar energy system and tie it to the grid.

Premier Power installed a 54kW roof-mounted non-penetrating racking system, which sometimes produces more electricity than the garage uses. When this happens, the electricity is sent back into the grid, making the electrical meter to spin backwards.

HIGH PROFILE PROJECT IN A LOW PROFILE MANNER

“From the beginning of the project there has been an expectation for excellent work, quality and discretion,” said Molello. “Premier Power does quality work and they are professional. For the design and installation of this project, we needed someone highly professional to respect Jay’s personal life. I know that Premier Power does jobs for premier clients and they are used to doing high-profile projects in a low profile way. It is all about servicing the customer, the process and the result. As I like to say, it is not just what you get, but how you get it.”

SETTING THE EXAMPLE

Readers of Popular Mechanics2 magazine might recognize this solar energy system as the subject of one of Leno’s series of “Green Garage” articles and videos he contributes to the publication. As Leno states in the video: “This is part of our green garage concept. We’re trying to cut down on fossil fuels as much as we can. If people, especially here in California, have this kind of roof space, it’s flat and easily accessible to solar energy, you should try and do it.”

SOURCES

Jay Leno's Garage
Popular Mechanics Article

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Contact us today to schedule your on-site commercial solar power consultation and learn what Premier Power can bring to your project, how to benefit from Green Marketing and how to take advantage of the new stimulus package. Our dedicated professionals will take care of your project from start to finish.