A 4.99-MW solar array is now online in Johnston, Rhode Island, which pushes utility Providence Water to its goal of being powered by 100% renewable energy sources.
“Investing in sustainability, energy efficiency and renewable energy is good for the bottom line of our environment and our rate payers,” said Xaykham Khamsyvoravong, Chairman of the Providence Water Supply Board. “The completion of the Pine Hill solar array means that 100% of Providence Water’s energy needs are now met by renewable energy sources. We are proud to reach this sustainability milestone that will benefit our environment while also producing an estimated $25 million in energy cost savings over the next 25 years.”
The Pine Hill Solar Project is located on a 30-acre site that borders Providence Water’s watershed. Providence Water owns much of the abutting property where woodland serves as a natural buffer from neighboring privately-owned properties. Minimal tree clearing (61 trees on less than one acre) was necessary during construction, and replacement seedlings were planted near the cleared area. EDF Renewables and AEP Onsite Partners assisted on the solar project’s completion.
Combined with the Central Operations Facility’s rooftop solar array, the Pine Hill project will provide Providence Water with 100% renewable energy.
News item from Providence Water
““The completion of the Pine Hill solar array means that 100% of Providence Water’s energy needs are now met by renewable energy sources. We are proud to reach this sustainability milestone that will benefit our environment while also producing an estimated $25 million in energy cost savings over the next 25 years.””
This is obviously a small water district, but on average $1,000,000 a year in energy costs could sure be put to good use in O&M, expansion of infrastructure in the future. It is becoming more common to see entities like wastewater treatment plants using floating solar powered aerators and more often some floating solar PV arrays on reclaimed water settling ponds. Water treatment and conveyance is a power hungry process and any reduction in energy use saves a lot of money over the long run.
Their web site says this entity is a surface water purveyor that runs the water through a water treatment plant to clean up to a potable standard for domestic use.