May 2--LOMA LINDA -- With the flip of a switch, the city on Tuesday formally ushered in the solar power era.

City officials fired up a solar-powered message board in a demonstration of the 267-kilowatt solar power system that became fully operational last week. "This is a new opportunity for the city of Loma Linda to go green, take advantage of new technology and, in the long term, lower our utility expenses," Mayor Robert Christman told a group of dignitaries and business leaders in front of City Hall. City crews last summer began mounting 1,600 solar panels on the roofs of buildings and carports at City Hall. The installation was completed last week. The panels generate electricity for the Civic Center, Fire Station, Library and Senior Center.

The solar-powering system, based on photovoltaic technology, is expected to provide 430 megawatt-hours of electricity annually -- enough to power 70 homes a year. The project cost $2.7 million. About $750,000 came from a state grant, with the rest coming from city redevelopment money. Konrad Bolowich, Loma Linda's acting director of information systems, said the city will recoup its investment in about 10 years through increased energy savings. Bolowich said solar power will cover about 70 percent of the electricity needs at City Hall. The solar panels have a life span of about 25 years, he said.

The system was designed by Alpha Energy, a Bellingham, Wash.-based company that develops alternative energy sources. Ben Strunk, Alpha's district operations manager, said the cost of solar technology -- about $35,000 to $45,000 for the average home -- will drop as more manufacturers enter the market. "We hope it catches it on, and we'll see solar panels on every home," said Matt Donnelly, Alpha's vice president. City Manager Dennis Halloway said the city is studying the possibility of offering a rebate program for residents and business owners who convert to solar. "We're looking at it as essentially a pilot for business and residential application," Bolowich said.

"We've developed the expertise to transfer the knowledge to businesses and residents." Councilman Floyd Petersen said solar power is the city's contribution to fight global warning. "We do everything cutting edge here," Petersen said. "This is where we experiment and lead the way. That's why we're doing it. We're very proud of it."