Fullerton leaders flipped the (ceremonial) switch on an energy project they say will be saving the city millions of dollars.
The city contracted with NORESCO, which does projects improving energy efficiency of aging facilities, to upgrade building systems and add new solar energy infrastructure and electric vehicle chargers at city facilities.
New solar panels stand over the city hall parking lot at the Fullerton City Hall in Fullerton. City officials held a Flip-the-Switch ceremony at Fullerton City Hall on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to celebrate Fullerton’s energy savings project with NORESCO. The project includes new solar panels over the city hall parking lot and at the police department, among other energy improvements. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung speaks during a Flip-the-Switch ceremony at Fullerton City Hall on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to celebrate Fullerton’s energy savings project with NORESCO. The project includes new solar panels over the city hall parking lot and and at the police department, among other energy improvements. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New dual port electric vehicle chargers in the parking lot at the Fullerton City Hall in Fullerton. City officials held a Flip-the-Switch ceremony at Fullerton City Hall on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to celebrate Fullerton’s energy savings project with NORESCO. The project includes new solar panels over the city hall parking lot and and at the police department, among other energy improvements. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New dual port electric vehicle chargers in the parking lot at the Fullerton City Hall in Fullerton. City officials held a Flip-the-Switch ceremony at Fullerton City Hall on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to celebrate Fullerton’s energy savings project with NORESCO. The project includes new solar panels over the city hall parking lot and and at the police department, among other energy improvements. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Richard Seifert, right, regional sales manager for NORESCO, looks back at the ceremonial switch following a ceremony at Fullerton City Hall on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to celebrate Fullerton’s energy savings project with NORESCO. The project includes new solar panels over the city hall parking lot and and at the police department, among other energy improvements. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
New dual port electric vehicle chargers in the parking lot at the Fullerton City Hall in Fullerton. City officials held a Flip-the-Switch ceremony at Fullerton City Hall on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to celebrate Fullerton’s energy savings project with NORESCO. The project includes new solar panels over the city hall parking lot and and at the police department, among other energy improvements. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung, left, and Council Member Ahmad Zahra prepare to flip a ceremonial switch during a ceremony at Fullerton City Hall on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to celebrate Fullerton’s energy savings project with NORESCO. The project includes new solar panels over the city hall parking lot and and at the police department, among other energy improvements. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung speaks during a Flip-the-Switch ceremony at Fullerton City Hall on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to celebrate Fullerton’s energy savings project with NORESCO. The project includes new solar panels over the city hall parking lot and and at the police department, among other energy improvements. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The public can now access dual-port EV chargers at City Hall, and the Police Department has new stations for charging electric vehicles in its fleet. The new solar panel arrays are also adding shade to properties, officials said.
Along with adding the renewable energy system, the project approved by the City Council in 2021 also included replacing old HVAC systems at various city buildings, upgrading lighting to be more efficient at several facilities and parks and implementing smart technology.
At the time, city officials said they were looking for creative solutions for addressing aging systems that were becoming expensive to maintain or replace and the city did not have the funding to pay for all of the work needed.
The project cost about $8.4 million, which is being repaid, officials said, with the savings being generated by the energy improvements. The changes are expected to save $12.1 million during the 25-year contract period, officials said.
“These kinds of public-private partnerships afford municipal government an opportunity to implement infrastructure using the expertise of the private sector,” said Mayor Fred Jung, who on Thursday in a ceremony at City Hall flipped a giant white wall switch with other councilmembers to mark the project’s completion. “Our partnership with (NORESCO) will deliver enhanced cost savings and a return on the public’s investment.”
