News Article
California Water Treatment Facility Turns To Solar Power
The municipal water district that provides water, sewer, recycled water, fire protection, emergency medical services and park services to the unincorporated community of Ramona, California has commissioned a 530 kilowatt peak (kWp) solar energy installation. The installation was developed and financed by leading solar energy company Enfinity America Corporation, with the solar panels and EPC services provided by manufacturer Siliken, which was also co-developer of the project.
Located at Ramona's Santa Maria Wastewater Treatment Plant, the fixed-tilt solar project uses a total of 2,156 Siliken panels with an annual energy output of 919,000 kilowatt hours (kWh), which will be used to run the plant itself. The installation is scheduled to go on-stream by September 30, 2012.
Bob Hopper, Enfinity's Chief Development Officer, commented "This project came to fruition as a result of a true partnership between Enfinity, Siliken and the Ramona Municipal Water District. Our experience with similar projects "“ for example the City of Reno municipal installation "“ means that we can accelerate the pace of development and construction and bring the cost saving benefits of solar energy to Ramona's ratepayers more quickly."
David Barnum, General Manager of the Ramona Municipal Water District, said "The Ramona Municipal Water District is proud to be able to participate in a sustainable energy project that is anticipated to produce 919,000 kWh of local electricity in the first year and save the rate payers and citizens of the community of Ramona $480,148 over 20 years."
For the Ramona community, the immediate benefits of the solar project will be lower energy costs, clear environmental benefits, and a predictable price of power for the future. "This project is a clear demonstration of solar's value in our clean energy economy," said Scott Sporrer, Vice President and General Manager with Siliken USA. "We're pleased to have collaborated with experienced partners like Enfinity and the Ramona Municipal Water District who clearly recognize the quality and reliability of Siliken's systems."
