A California YMCA is being outfitted with a complimentary solar array for its carport, enabling the facility to save about $250,000 during the next 15 years, according to the Press Democrat.

Construction of the project began this past Monday and is projected to be completed early next year. The solar panels are provided by SolarCity, who also will install them. TerraVerde Renewable Partners is executing the financing. Investors are leasing property from the YMCA, who is purchasing energy from the renewable energy companies.

“Over a 15-year period, this translates into a reduction of over 3 million pounds of carbon in our air," according to a statement by David Brown, president and chief executive officer of the Santa Rosa YMCA.

The 15-year term of the solar carport also will see elimination of one ton of smog-causing nitrogen oxides, 500 pounds of acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide, and 600 pounds of particulates, which cause asthma.

And construction will not harm members' efforts to park cars before entering the YMCA to exercise.

"There will be no loss of parking spaces when it is completed because it will be a carport," according to Brown.