City of Atwater, CA Breaks Ground on 1.1 MW Solar Energy System
New Solar Power System Offsets City’s Energy Use; Project
Developed through Siemens Solar Power Purchase Agreement
ATWATER, CA, JULY 11, 2012 – Today the city of
Atwater, CA —home to over 28,000 people— broke ground on a 1.1 megawatt
solar power system adjacent to the city’s new wastewater treatment
plant. To be owned and operated by Siemens Industry, Inc., the new solar
array will enable the city of Atwater to purchase electricity under a
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) at a fixed and discounted rate without
any capital investment.
Like many communities in California that are struggling economically,
Atwater sought creative solutions to help reduce energy costs associated
with a new wastewater treatment plant. Under the PPA, Siemens procures,
builds, owns, operates and maintains the system, and Atwater agrees to
purchase the electricity generated by the solar array at a rate
guaranteed for 20 years.
The solar array will use solar modules and tracking systems from Solaria
Corporation of Fremont, CA, that follow the sun across the sky to
maximize energy capture. Installed on an unused former landfill site,
the system will generate 2,221,738 kWh of clean renewable energy
annually, and realize significant greenhouse gas emissions savings.
“We’re pleased to have found a way to offset the higher electricity
costs from our new wastewater treatment plant without a capital
expenditure,” said Atwater Mayor Joan Faul. “Not only will we save over
$1 million during the life of the project, we are doing so in a way that
advances Atwater’s sustainability goals.”
“By using solar energy to offset some demand from the new wastewater
treatment plant, Atwater will be able to reduce its energy costs
associated with the increased demand,” said Lisa Reddinger, senior
business development manager, Siemens Building Technologies Division,
Energy & Environmental Solutions. “With a Siemens Solar PPA, there is
no-up front capital investment, thus concerns of loan payments or
defaults are mitigated, and budgeting for increases in electric costs
becomes much easier for the city.”
By leveraging a PPA and deploying clean, reliable solar power, the City
of Atwater is helping the state of California achieve its ambitious
renewable energy goals, while providing a safer, healthier environment
for Atwater residents and neighboring communities.
About Solaria
Solaria Corporation designs, manufactures and markets silicon PV
modules and systems to solar system integrators, project developers and
electric utilities. Based on its patented low-cost technology, Solaria's
modules provide reliable performance while matching form, fit and
performance of conventional PV modules. Solaria headquarters are in
California with operations in Germany and India. For more information,
please visit www.solaria.com.
Solaria Media Contacts
Susan DeVico
(510) 339.1527 (USA)
sdevico@solaria.com |