SOLON completes 459 kW solar project for Gila Bend water treatment facility

USA: SOLON Corp. has completed construction of a 459 kilowatt (kW) PV system at the Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility for the Town of Gila Bend, Arizona.

The system is expected to offset the energy usage of the water treatment facility by 86 percent, which will save money for the Town of Gila Bend through reduced utility bills.

“The incorporation of solar into this water treatment facility is another great example of solar’s versatility at reducing power costs across the electric demand spectrum,” said Jared Schoch, VP and GM of Power Plants at SOLON. “We are very excited to complete this PV project for the community of Gila Bend.”

SOLON engineered, designed, constructed, and commissioned the fixed-tilt system. As a full service system provider, SOLON will continue to operate and maintain the system on behalf of Gila Bend.

“As part of our strategic focus on renewables and PV to drive down electric costs incurred by the Town of Gila Bend, our water treatment facility was selected because it had the largest electric draw of any Town-owned facility,” said Frederick Buss, Town Manager for Gila Bend. “This system will mitigate those costs greatly. SOLON has done a tremendous job yet again.”

The project development and system ownership was financed through a State of Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) grant awarded to the Town of Gila Bend for drinking water infrastructure improvements.

SOLON has installed nearly 65 MW of solar in Arizona, and 90 MW nationwide.