Above: the Puerto Rico Convention Center

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Puerto Rico Convention Center has unveiled a new solar energy array that is one of the largest green initiatives of its kind on the island.

The project, which was officially inaugurated by Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla this week, includes 17,764 solar panels installed on both sides of the center, along with 2,139 on the roof.

The project required a private investment of $20 million and created 125 jobs during construction, according to the government.

“The estimate is that the PV [photovoltaic] system will produce approximately 8,000 megawatt hours of solar energy each year,” the Governor said.

From the months of March to May, it’s estimated that the PV system will produce more electricity than it requires, with Puerto Rico’s electric utility able to buy that surplus energy.

The energy system will lead to a savings of around $567,000 in the first year, Garcia said.

The Governor said his administration was working to accelerate steps for new photovoltaic systems in other areas, including water filtration plants.