THE STORY

Carlsbad is a coastal community in Southern California serving more than 100,000 residents about 35 miles north of San Diego. As part of its sustainability goals, the city explored solar energy opportunities at key public facilities. To support this effort, Carlsbad partnered with Franklin Energy to conduct photovoltaic (PV) feasibility studies for Alga Norte Community Park and the Safety Training Center.

THE GOAL

To understand whether solar systems could be cost-effectively installed at these facilities, the city sought guidance on system sizing, installation costs, projected energy production, and long-term financial performance. With one facility under construction and the other serving as a multi-department public safety training campus, the city also needed site-specific recommendations for optimal system placement.

THE SOLUTION AND RESULTS

Franklin Energy engineers conducted a detailed technical and financial evaluation of solar opportunities at both facilities. The team reviewed building drawings, electrical load data, and historical utility information, and performed site inspections to assess available space, roof orientation, shading conditions, and planned electrical demand. Using this data, Franklin Energy developed multiple conceptual PV system designs and modeled expected energy production using the California Solar Initiative Incentive Calculator, which incorporates the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts performance model.

The analysis included estimated installation costs and a lifecycle financial assessment covering projected electricity savings, net energy metering benefits, avoided greenhouse gas emissions, system degradation, and maintenance costs. It determined multicrystalline panels paired with a central inverter and fixed optimal orientation would be the most cost-effective configuration, and it identified the most effective solar panel locations at each site: parking structure canopies at Alga Norte Community Park and the rooftop of the Safety Training Center’s indoor shooting range building.

By delivering clear performance projections and financial analysis, Franklin Energy provided Carlsbad with actionable guidance to support solar investment decisions and advance its sustainability goals.