Kaiser Permanente goes solar in California

Kaiser Permanente will install solar systems at 15 of its facilities, including its Santa Clara medical center, the company said Tuesday.

Oakland-based Kaiser said the project is expected to be operating by the summer of 2011.

Independent power producer and solar power project developer Recurrent Energy of San Francisco is working with Kaiser on the project. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Installing solar panels on Kaiser Permanente hospitals, medical offices, and other buildings is the first part of a larger plan to use on-site renewable energy sources to power Kaiser Permanente's buildings nationwide. A focus on renewable energy sources is just one aspect of the organization's industry-leading work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the use of harmful chemicals, and promote sustainable food choices," Kaiser said.

More information on the announcement is available via the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal and the San Francisco Business Times.