Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Celebrate the Completion of Large Solar Project

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) General Manager Ronald O. Nichols and other city officials today celebrated the completion of one of the largest infill solar panel projects in central Los Angeles.
Located at the Walter J Towers at 1930 Wilshire Boulevard, the project is managed by LA Building Management and was designed and built by LA-based ReGreen Corporation, with design input from both LADWP and the LA Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Dr. Walter Jayasinghe (j'eye-ya-SING-ha), a Los Angeles physician who emigrated from Sri Lanka as a young man, owns the Walter J Towers.

"Dr. Walter Jayasinghe's story highlights how investing in solar isn't just good for the environment, it is good for a business's bottom line," Mayor Villaraigosa said. "We are working with our business community for more innovative and forward-thinking companies to reap the environmental and economic benefits of DWP's Solar Incentive Program."

"This is a great example of using local renewable energy to reduce energy costs. The collaboration between LADWP, ReGreen Corporation and Mr. Jayasinghe on this solar project will reduce energy costs for the Walter J. Towers and support the LADWP's efforts to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels," said LADWP General Manager Ronald O. Nichols. "With the September 1 re-launch of our popular solar incentive rebate program, we look forward to working with many other City businesses and residents interested in achieving similar benefits through solar power."

The Walter J Towers solar panel project uses 1,185 photovoltaic panels, elevated above the building's surface parking lot, which will reduce the building's annual energy costs by 30%. "Going solar was the right thing to do for our business, our tenants and this community," stated Dilan Jayasinha, President of LA Building Management. "Putting such a large project in such a relatively small space that's outfitted with older infrastructure required substantial planning and expertise. ReGreen delivered and everybody wins."

ReGreen Corporation's close, collaborative relationship with LADWP and the LADBS was critical to orchestrating this landmark effort. Sited in a densely populated urban area where infill projects are always complex, the Walter J Towers solar project broke new ground because of the extensive interconnection with LADWP's power grid. "Never before has such a large solar panel project been installed over the surface parking lot of a classic office building, so close to downtown Los Angeles," explains ReGreen Managing Director David Duel. "We're pleased to have met those challenges, helped LA Building Management achieve significant energy cost savings and installed the project with zero upfront costs to them."

Dr. Walter Jayasinghe, owner of Walter J Towers, is an enthusiastic supporter of employing technology to reduce energy consumption, as well as costs. "I've dedicated my life to helping people restore and maintain their health," said Dr. Jayasinghe. "In a sense, these solar panels and other steps we've taken to reduce energy consumption at Walter J Towers are small but tangible actions toward helping maintain the health of this neighborhood and the planet."

About LADWP

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the nation's largest municipal utility, provides reliable, low-cost water and power services to Los Angeles residents and businesses in an environmentally responsible manner. LADWP serves about 1.4 million electric customers and 680,000 water customers in Los Angeles.

About LA Building Management

LA Building Management is a full-service management company for commercial property owners. They specialize in office and retail space and have served their clients for more than 20 years.

About ReGreen Corporation

ReGreen Corporation is an innovative energy services company that provides its more than 5,000 customers with cost-effective energy and water conservation solutions. The Los Angeles based firm has helped its customers achieve significant energy cost savings and optimal facility performance in more than 200 million square feet of building space throughout the western United States.

About Walter J Towers

Walter J Towers is comprised of two adjacent classic, high-rise office buildings at 1930 Wilshire and 2010 Wilshire, in the MacArthur Park community. Currently, the Towers are 95% occupied and are home to a variety of medical practices, as well as small and medium-sized businesses. The Towers are owned by Dr. Walter Jayasinghe. The native Sri Lankan first admired the buildings in 1972, while working nearby as a lab technician and completing medical school; he purchased them years later. His allegiance to the MacArthur Park neighborhood runs deep: for two decades, he operated one of the city's first 24-hour, walk-in clinics there.

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