SunPower, a manufacturer of solar panels and systems,
announced the installation of its four 3.8 megawatts solar power systems that
help in reducing electricity costs of public water agencies and water treatment
facilities in California.
Two of the SunPower systems are installed at Rancho
California Water District (RCWD) in Riverside County. One of the RCWD systems
at the Senga Doherty Pump Station uses the SunPower T0 Tracker. This
ground-mounted system rotates the solar panels to follow the sun during the
day, increasing energy capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt
systems.
A 612-kilowatt solar parking canopy system was also
completed at RCWD headquarters. In 2008, SunPower completed another 1.1-megawatt
system at RCWD’s Santa Rosa Water Reclamation Facility.
“Water agencies and facilities typically have huge
energy demand and a responsibility to rate payers to minimize operational
costs, and these California facilities are no exception,” said
Howard Wenger, president, regions, of SunPower.
SunPower systems help RCWD’s District Headquarters reduce
an average of 95 percent of the electricity cost at and 55 percent at the Senga
Doherty Pump Station. The expected cost saving estimated is approximately $4.3
million over the next 20 years.
SunPower also completed two other
systems include a 1-megawatt installation for Castaic Lake Water Agency’s Rio
Vista Water Treatment Plant in Santa Clarita, and a 983-kilowatt system for the
City of Galt’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Both use the SunPower T0 Tracker, and are expected to
generate the equivalent of 90 percent or more of the facilities’ electricity
demand. The City of Galt and CLWA host the systems, buying the electricity at
prices below retail rates.
“SunPower is very experienced in working with
wastewater treatment plants, and assisted us with securing the power purchase
agreement that made the project affordable,” said Galt Mayor Barbara
Payne.
Recently, SunPower signed
an agreement to acquire French solar provider Tenesol, which is owned by Total,
for $165.4 million.
By GreentechLead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com