The sun is going to shine brightly on the Mission Bay Aquatic Center (MBAC) when it begins to receive its monthly electric bills. Just a few weeks ago the center completed a three-month conversion project to solar power. “The goal from the beginning was to be 100 percent self-sustaining,” said center director Glen Brandenburg. “In other words, we produce through solar power all the electricity we need for the year.” According to Brandenburg, the conversion to solar power for the aquatic center, which mistakenly is often viewed as a separate company but instead is a joint venture between San Diego State University (SDSU) and University of California San Diego (UCSD), is a natural progression. “We have been going green long before such a phrase was popular,” he said. “For example, our restrooms are lit by skylights. A number of years ago we started using super high reflectors for our lights and thus went from needing four light bulbs down to two per fixture. We purchased a high-efficiency washing machine.” The effort to install the solar electricity system began a few years ago and involved navigating through state and local rules and regulations. While the process has been more complicated due to nature of the center’s connection to the two universities compared to a small business owner or resident interested in the same conversion, it has made Brandenburg very knowledgeable on the subject, and he is quick to note a few key issues which apply to everyone. “Before you can install a solar system there needs to be an energy audit done to make sure you are already operating at a reasonably high efficiency level,” he said. “Otherwise then all you will do is waste solar power energy.” The cost comparison of conservation versus producing is also a factor. “It costs five times less to conserve one watt of electricity than it does to make it,” Brandenburg said, “which is another reason for having the energy audit … to make sure you are doing your best with conservation efforts.” While either a business or individual consumer can install a solar system which gives them only partial energy support, say 30 percent or 50 percent, the aquatic center, in order to be 100 percent self-sustaining, had to do “zero out” its consumption, Sometimes during the year production may exceed consumption, and other times it may be the opposite. but at the end of the year, the energy used matches the energy produced. Because with solar power it is virtually impossible to produce exactly the right amount of electricity needed on a daily basis, you can “stockpile” extra electricity, and then apply it to other time frames during the year. “Fortunately in San Diego we have sunshine year-round,” Brandenburg said. “However, you still produce more electricity than you need during the summer months, so we will receive energy credits for those months. Also, remember, you do not produce energy when it is dark or as much in the winter months.” What if you produce more electricity than you need for the year even after all appropriate credits are applied? Then the utility company simply uses it elsewhere. You do not receive any money or rebate. Anyone who might be quick to complain about that scenario has to point a finger at the entire United States and not just a local power provider, according to Brandenburg. “In Europe they have what are called ‘feed-in-tariffs’ where people can be paid to produce electricity,” he said. “Right now they do not exist in the USA, although Florida is considering it.” In theory, this could mean a corn farmer, for example, could replace his entire crops with solar panels and then literally sit back and earn money while selling electricity generated from those panels to utility companies. There are other benefits to solar power, some not visible and others quite clear. “Our solar system will reduce C02 emissions by 82,000 pounds per year,” Brandenburg said. Another benefit might be in your electric bills. It has been estimated that solar systems installed on 25 percent of the buildings, rooftops, parking garages and similar structures could provide San Diego with 100 percent of its electrical needs. Solar power has the capability now to at least reduce peak load demands for electricity. This typically happens between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and most noticeably during the hotter summer months. This is also when electricity costs the most to use, because often more is being consumed than produced, so it has to be brought in from other sources. “This has the potential to save consumers billions of dollars over the long term,” Brandenburg said. “It is really quite simple. The sun comes up and energy is produced. As well, the energy from the sun is free. You can actually watch your electric meter go backwards.” The Mission Bay Aquatic Center is located at 1001 Santa Clara Place. For more information visit www.missionbayaquaticcenter.com.