A 459 kW photovoltaic (PV) solar power system has been completed at the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility for the Town of Gila Bend, Arizona, by Solon Corporation, the company announced on 13 February 2013.
The system is expected to offset the energy usage of the water treatment facility by 86%, which will save money for the municipality through reduced utility bills.
Solon engineered, designed, constructed and commissioned the fixed-tilt system. As a full-service system provider, Solon will continue to operate and maintain the system on behalf of Gila Bend.
“As part of our strategic focus on renewables and PV to drive down electric costs incurred by the Town of Gila Bend, our water treatment facility was selected because it had the largest electric draw of any town-owned facility,” said Frederick Buss, town manager. “This system will mitigate those costs greatly. Solon has done a tremendous job yet again.”
The project development and system ownership was financed through a State of Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority grant awarded for drinking water infrastructure improvements.