Regional San constructed a solar energy array at the Sacramento
Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. The solar array is one
of the largest located at a wastewater treatment plant in the
nation. The solar array offers a clean and sustainable energy
source with several benefits.
Regional San entered into a power purchase agreement with Tesla
(formerly SolarCity) who will finance, own, and operate the
array. Under the agreement, Tesla will sell the power produced at
the site to Regional San for a 25-year term at a fixed
rate.
This solar array increases and diversifies our green energy
portfolio, provides a clean and sustainable energy source, and
brings financial benefits by reducing energy costs. The estimated
savings to Regional San over the 25-year period is about $10
million. The solar array also meets environmental requirements
for greenhouse gas mitigation as part of the EchoWater Project,
the massive ongoing upgrade of the treatment plant.
The newly developed 4.2 megawatt solar array has a footprint of
approximately 21 acres of open space designated for future
treatment processes. It will produce approximately eight percent
of Regional San’s current energy needs which is enough to power
approximately 750 homes annually.
Background
In 2014, Regional San’s Board of Directors certified the
EchoWater Project Final Environmental Impact Report, which
included a mitigation measure to reduce project-generated
greenhouse gas emissions. Subsequently, Regional San chose to
install solar panels at the Plant to reduce the EchoWater
Project’s overall consumption of non-renewable energy.
The project team completed the required environmental evaluations
and analysis, which determined the solar array project would not
result in any new or significant environmental impacts beyond
those described in the certified EchoWater EIR.
Project Benefits
- Diversifies Regional San’s alternative energy portfolio and
demonstrates a commitment to renewable energy resources
- Provides a substantial financial benefit to Regional San that
can be applied to Bufferlands restoration, sustainability, and
outreach efforts
- Mitigates greenhouse gas emissions impacts related to
EchoWater Project construction and future operational emissions
For More Information . . .
For more information about this project, please contact Steve
Nebozuk, Senior Civil Engineer, at (916) 876-6118, or via email
at nebozuks@sacsewer.com.
Documents
View Jan. 27, 2016, Board Item Second Amendment to Certified EIR
View Jan. 27, 2016, Board Item Approval of Preferred Alternative and Best Value Provider
