SunPower advised that it had completed four solar power systems, totaling 3.8MW, for public water agencies and water treatment facilities in California. Two of the systems will serve Rancho California Water District (RCWD) in Riverside County. The first RCWD system is 1.1MW and located at the Senga Dohety Pump Station using SunPower’s T0 Tracker. Additionally a 612kW solar parking canopy system was installed at the RCWD headquarters. The RCWD installations join SunPower’s 2008 1.1MW system that was completed for the utilities 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. “With SunPower systems operating at more than 25 water agencies and treatment facilities, SunPower is pleased to deliver the most efficient and reliable solar technology on the market today, with guaranteed performance that ensures these facilities lock in positive financial returns.”
SunPower also completed a 1MW installation for Castaic Lake Water Agency’s (CLWA) Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant in Santa Clarita and a 983kW system for the City of Galt’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. Both installations use the solar company’s T0 tracker and were financed through PPA agreements with SunPower.
PNC Energy Capital bought the systems that SunPower designed, built, operates and maintains. The City of Galt and CLWA will host the systems and acquire the electricity at prices that are said to be below retail rates. CLWA will own the renewable energy credits and environmental benefits associated with the 1MW solar system while the City of Galt plans to sell its RECs and environmental benefits from its hosted 983kW system.