Ameresco has completed a 240-kW solar canopy for the Pendleton Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility (WWTRRF) in Oregon.
The solar canopy is expected to annually generate 325,000 kWh of electricity, which will offset approximately 30% of the WWTRRF’s total energy consumption.
“This project marks a major step forward in our commitment to developing efficient and resilient solutions for our city,” said Kyle Willman, Superintendent, at Wastewater Treatment Resource Recovery Facility. “The solar canopy not only helps reduce our energy costs and environmental footprint, but it also enhances the performance of our wastewater treatment facility in ways that benefit the entire community. We’re grateful for our partnership with Ameresco and for the state and local support that made this forward-thinking investment possible.”
In addition to providing on-site energy production and cost savings, the canopy shades the WWTRRF’s chlorine contact chamber, helping to improve water quality, reduce effluent temperature and support a healthier aquatic ecosystem. The project is part of a multiphase infrastructure improvement initiative and was delivered through an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) with Ameresco, which provided price and performance guarantees and helped ensure participation from disadvantaged and local businesses.
The Pendleton WWTRRF project was funded through a combination of state grants (including ODOE’s C-REP grant), utility incentives and city resources. As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to increase the resilience and reliability of the WWTRRF, plans are underway for a future battery energy storage system (BESS) to complement the solar canopy and further decrease the operational costs of the facility.
“We are proud to partner with the City of Pendleton in its mission to build a resilient future,” said Lou Maltezos, President of Central & Western USA, Canada Regions at Ameresco. “This solar canopy project is a great example of how innovative energy solutions can deliver meaningful economic benefits and support essential city infrastructure. We’re not only improving operational efficiency but also contributing to the health of the local ecosystem and empowering the community with long-term energy savings.”
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