Rancho California Water District Plant to Run on Solar Power

Jan. 30, 2008
Running treatment plant on solar power expected to save $4 million over time

Southern California’s Rancho California Water District is discussing plans to use solar panels to power its wastewater treatment plant, a move expected to save the district nearly $4 million over the next 20 years, while providing an earth-friendly means of electricity, the Press-Enterprise reported.

The project would add 5,370 solar panels on 9 acres next to the Santa Rosa Water Reclamation Facility in Murrieta, according to the paper.

The plant, which also is undergoing an expansion, processes 2.7 million gallons of wastewater a day, enough to service 10,000 homes.

It is the first solar-energy project for the Temecula, Calif.-based district, which serves more than 120,000 people.

The water district wants to save on electricity while reducing the district's carbon emissions, spokeswoman Meggan Reed said.

The plant would still be hooked up to Southern California Edison, although solar energy would provide most of its power.

The panels will cost about $225,000 to install, but once built, the panels will save the district $3.88 million in electric costs over the next 20 years, Reed said.

The start date for the project is June, and the panels will take an estimated seven months to build, Reed said.

The Engineering and Operations Committee of the district board of directors must give final approval to the solar panels and the expansion, the paper reported.

Source: The Press-Enterprise

Sponsored Recommendations

Blower Package Integration

March 20, 2024
See how an integrated blower package can save you time, money, and energy, in a wastewater treatment system. With package integration, you have a completely integrated blower ...

Strut Comparison Chart

March 12, 2024
Conduit support systems are an integral part of construction infrastructure. Compare steel, aluminum and fiberglass strut support systems.

Energy Efficient System Design for WWTPs

Feb. 7, 2024
System splitting with adaptive control reduces electrical, maintenance, and initial investment costs.

Blower Isentropic Efficiency Explained

Feb. 7, 2024
Learn more about isentropic efficiency and specific performance as they relate to blowers.