Officials from the various organizations involved in installing a solar electric system at the Amador County Fair display a $145,404 check for the PG&E project. The Amador County Fair's new solar electric system, recently installed on the roof of the fairground's stables, soak up some midday sun. The system is expected to save the fair more than $15,000 annually.

A ceremony held Tuesday marked the Amador County Fair's switch to solar technology.

The 50 kilowatt SolarStar solar electric system was installed on the roof of the fairground's stables.

"It can generate all day long as long as there's sun," said Susan Clark, chief executive officer of the Amador County Fair.

The system, which consists of 328 SolarWorld SQ-175 PC modules and nine SMA Sunny Boy SB 6000U inverters, cost a total of $378,804. The system is expected to produce 87,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, which amounts to covering almost 30 percent of the fair's energy needs. This translates into an annual savings of $15,104 for the Amador County Fair, as well as the prevention of 84,874 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere each year.

"A one-kilowatt system generates about enough electricity for one home," said Nicole Tam, a public information officer for Pacific Gas & Electric Co. The 50 kilowatt system installed at the fairgrounds will produce electricity equivalent to what would be required for about 50 homes, she added.

"We began the process three years ago applying for grant funding," Clark said. "The building itself took about one month."

According to Clark, the Amador County Fair is one of 26 fairs statewide to complete or be in the process of completing solar generation projects. The fairs are "one of the largest entities (using solar electricity) if you put us together," she said.

The installation of the system was made possible through a joint effort between the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the California Construction Authority, PG&E and Renewable Technologies Inc.

Renewable Technologies Inc. of Sutter Creek designed the solar installation and will provide ongoing sponsorship. PG&E contributed $145,404 from its Self-Generation Incentive Program and the California Construction Authority, a joint powers authority, approved the project and secured federal loan funding of $233,400 from the Clean Renewable Energy Bond.

Officials from the various organizations were present at the Nov. 28 ceremony held at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth. Gary DeVany of Renewable Technologies Inc., Mike Treacy, director of the fairs and expositions division for the state Department of Food and Agriculture, and Tom Baker, executive officer of the California Construction Authority, flipped the switches connected to the new solar system. Amador County Fair Board President Tim King also accepted the $145,404 check from PG&E Account Manager Randy Herbst. The ceremony was followed by a luncheon.

"The fair is very proud of this project, which will not only reduce the fair's operating costs long term, but also benefits the community at large through energy generation and pollution reduction," King said. "We are grateful to all our partners that made it possible."

"PG&E is proud to have partnered with the Amador County Fair and is pleased about the positive impact this rebate will have on the community and the environment," said Helen Burt, senior vice president and chief customer officer at PG&E. "Amador County Fair's success in using renewable energy demonstrates its foresight and innovation among fairgrounds."

Much of the electricity used during next year's fair, scheduled for July 26 through 29, will be provided by the new solar energy system.