Kyocera Solar, Inc. today announced that it is providing 47 direct current kilowatts (kW) of photovoltaic solar modules to Delta Solar Electric to power the Gloria E. McClellan Senior Center in Vista, CA. The U.S.-made modules were installed by Delta Solar Electric and fulfill its first ARRA-funded solar project.

Manufactured in Kyocera's San Diego production facility, the roof-mounted 245-watt modules will produce 73,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy annually for the Senior Center. Combined with new LED lighting and air conditioning units, these measures will reduce the Center's annual power consumption by as much as 92 percent. As a result, the Center will potentially save over $15,000 per year while reducing its impact on the environment.

"Kyocera is delighted to keep our San Diego-made solar solutions here in town to power this impressive senior center in the City of Vista," said Steve Hill, president of Kyocera Solar, Inc. "Our four decades of experience have made Kyocera solar modules some of the most reliable in the industry, as proven by our results in a recent TUV Rheinland's Long-Term Sequential Testing. It's gratifying to know that our solar modules are helping to ensure the well being of seniors while also reducing costs."

The Gloria E. McClellan Senior Center, located at Brengle Terrace Park, is a San Diego County "Cool Zone" where seniors and others can safely take refuge during dangerous hot weather spells.

"The installation of the solar panels will provide significant energy savings to the City," said Vista Mayor Judy Ritter. "The economic benefits will be long lasting for the Vista community."

"Kyocera's high-efficiency modules made the company an ideal supplier for ensuring power is always on for these seniors," said Van Parseghian, senior solar energy consultant at Delta Solar Electric. "Vista can get very hot in the summer, and it is important that our seniors have a place to escape the mid-day heat without the concern of a high energy bill."