Construction Initiated - March 9, 2026

Installation of the below system is now underway! Work is visible from the 32 Road corridor and has started with installation of the foundation support piles - 435 of them! Following this is construction of the racking assembly and solar panel installation to complete the array. While the solar array is being constructed electrical conduit runs are being installed that will bring power produced by the array to inverters, transformers, switch gear, and a battery energy storage system. The array will be completed in April 2026, but less visible work will continue over the following months to finalize electrical connections, gear installation, interconnection to the existing facility, testing, and startup.

The District selected Sunsense Inc. in December 2024 to design and construct this project where over 2,000 photovoltaic solar panels will be installed on a ground mounted racking system with single axis tracking capability to provide a peak production capacity of approximately 1 megawatt of electricity. This sizing will allow the system to offset more than 100% of the annual kilowatt-hours utilized by the District's treatment facility. In addition, the system will include a battery energy storage system providing critical resiliency for the wastewater treatment facility and additional electrical savings though peak demand reduction.

Due to the funding strategy utilized for this project, including a $2,000,000 grant from DOLA, energy savings will offset project costs providing a net financial benefit to the District's customers. This financial benefit is planned to be utilized to offset operational expenses resulting in lower sewer service rate increases.

Not only is this project a financial win for the District, but it will also provide a positive environmental impact by reducing 954 metric tons (73% of total emissions) of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year!