Clean energy project firm Ameresco has started construction on a 240-kW solar photovoltaic (PV) canopy system at the city of Pendleton Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility in Oregon.
The distributed energy resource system is projected to generate about 325,000 kWh of electricity annually, cutting the facility’s reliance on non-renewable energy and enhancing efficiency by shading the chlorine contact chamber, reducing operational costs, and improving water quality.
The $1.8 million, ESPC solar PV canopy project is funded by a combination of state grants, federal incentives, utility incentives, and city resources, with support from the Oregon Department of Energy's Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (CREP). As part of the CREP initiative, the project also incorporates workforce training, supplier diversity, and outreach to rural and underserved populations.
“This has been an idea for about 10 years, so it feels awesome to be here,” said Kyle Willman, Technician and Lead Plant Operator, at the Wastewater Treatment Resource Recovery Facility (WWTRRF) in Pendleton. “We really try to focus on recovering as many resources as we can, and this project will cut about 30 percent off our power bill annually. I can’t wait to move forward.”
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The solar PV canopy is part of a larger initiative at the Pendleton WWTRRF, which involves a range of renewable energy and efficiency upgrades aimed at lowering the facility’s carbon footprint and operational costs.
In addition to the solar installation, the city’s future plans include the integration of a battery energy storage system to further enhance energy management and improve the facility’s overall sustainability efforts.
Massachusetts-based Ameresco has developed numerous state, federal and municipal projects involving renewable and energy efficiency technologies. These include projects in Washington, DC, Utah, New Hampshire and military base battery storage in Maryland.
