New York’s Monroe County Water Authority adding 5-MW solar array via Sol Systems
As part of a long-term goal to reduce energy expenses, the Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) has plans to install a 5 MW solar array on its existing property in the Town of Penfield. Construction has started and is expected to be completed by the end of the 2021. MCWA customers will benefit from by using clean, sustainable energy to offset its power bills. The array will also help New York State achieve its clean energy targets such as generating 70 percent of its electricity through renewable resources by 2030.
Through a competitive bid process led by the New York Power Authority (NYPA), national solar energy developer Sol Systems in Washington D.C. was selected to install and operate the solar array at no expense to MCWA in return for all energy credits generated at a fixed price per kWh over 25 years. The array is expected to generate 8 million kWh of electricity per year, which will be delivered to RG&E and credited to MCWA on its energy bills. The system will offset more than 15 percent of the 50 million kW per year required by MCWA for water pumping and treatment.
The MCWA project is one of the first in New York State to utilize bifacial solar modules, which allow light to enter both sides of a panel, increasing total energy generation. The town of Penfield already has a traditional solar array on Jackson Road.
Construction will include approximately 29 acres of ground-mounted solar panels, and a connection to RG&E’s power lines on the south side of Penfield Road across from the site. The property was purchased by MCWA in 1993 with the intent to use it as a future reservoir site, and a portion of the property is currently used to stockpile soil from water main breaks and other projects. The solar array will not interfere with those activities and a future reservoir could still be planned in the future depending on system needs and growth.
“Sol Systems is very excited to work with MCWA on this forward-thinking project,” said William Graves, director of Origination for Sol Customer Solutions. “This project will help give MCWA long-term visibility into its energy costs, while providing a clean source of electricity to RG&E’s energy portfolio.” Sol Customer Solutions is a joint venture between Sol Systems and Capital Dynamics. Capital Dynamics will own the project with Sol Systems managing the asset throughout the agreement.
“Placing a large-scale solar array on public land is a great way to model a strong commitment to renewable energy goals while providing a significant financial benefit,” said Gil C. Quiniones, president and CEO of NYPA, which is serving as project advisor, helping with preliminary site assessment, competitive bidding and project execution oversight. “The Monroe County Water Authority is stepping up to support a new clean energy source that will generate affordable and reliable electricity and help achieve the state’s goal of a 100 percent carbon-free electricity sector by 2040.”
MCWA, a public benefit corporation, has been involved in several water supply initiatives as part of its Environmental Stewardship program. This project is its first foray into renewable energy. However, it has long participated in state and local energy load shedding programs which have generated $5.5M in revenue over the past 19 years. MCWA has also received nearly $1M in grants and rebates for installing energy efficient equipment.
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