Standard Solar has announced it is developing a 241 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB).

The system, which will be installed on the new facility currently under construction in Northeast, Washington, D.C., will feature 1008 US Made Motech 240 watt panels and supply approximately 20 percent of the building's power.

CAFB, founded in 1980, is the largest, nonprofit hunger and nutrition education resource in the Washington Metropolitan area. The organization works to educate, empower and enlighten the community about the issues of hunger and nutrition and distributes nearly 30 million pounds of food to more than 478,000 people through its network of partner agencies.

"The solar panel installation (made possible by a generous donation) will help the food bank save significantly in utility costs," said Lynn Brantley, President and CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank. "The funds saved will help us feed the thousands of families, seniors and children struggling to get enough food to eat right here in the Washington metro region."

The installation, made possible in part by a $1 million cash grant from BP Solar, is estimated to produce 300 MWh annually for CAFB. The system's production will provide the non-profit organization significant savings on its annual energy expenditures, providing enough energy to power nearly 18 average homes annually or the equivalent of taking 40 cars off of the road for the same time frame.

"This is a commendable addition to the sustainability and financial stability of this very important organization right here in our nation's capital, and we are honored to be working with them," said Mike Sloan, GM, Commercial Business, Standard Solar.

"The savings provided by this PV system will let CAFB maximize its budget and concentrate on the important work it does to help feed and educate area residents."

Construction on the building and its rooftop solar array is scheduled to be complete by July 2012.