SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Redwood Credit Union is now getting an estimated 61% of annual electrical energy requirements following the completion of a 2,036-panel rooftop solar array at its administrative offices here.
Designed and installed by Novato-based SolarCraft, the system produces up to 662 kilowatts of power. It is the latest environmentally responsible upgrade to the LEED-certified facility, which has served Redwood CU’s headquarters since 2007.
“The addition of solar to our administrative building is a demonstration of our commitment to sustainable and earth-friendly practices. The additional benefit of long-term savings on power costs allows us to return even greater value to our 240,000 members,” said Brett Martinez, Redwood Credit Union’s president and CEO.
The credit union said the significant savings in electricity costs are expected to allow it to recover the cost of the system within seven years. ZFA Structural Engineers and Verisol, Inc. also provided consulting support for the project.
To accommodate ongoing growth in membership, staff and services, RCU purchased the 104,000-square-foot facility in 2005. It then embarked on a significant and environmentally minded remodel of the site, employing measures that helped obtain the U.S. Green Building Council’s “LEED Silver” designation in 2008 – the first commercial building in Santa Rosa to do so.
The location now hosts more than 200 employees, including a local call center and branch, lending services, administrative and back office support staff. A large community room at the facility frequently serves as meeting and event space for local nonprofits and community organizations throughout the North Bay, at no charge to the organizations.
The $2.5-billion Redwood Credit Union reported that its sustainability programs include water-efficient restrooms and landscaping at several of their facilities, including their LEED-certified administrative offices; recycling programs at all locations; green-friendly services such as paperless online banking, bill pay and eStatements; loan discounts on qualified fuel-efficient vehicles; solar loans and an online green center where visitors can find tips on reducing waste, energy efficiency and more.