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1 i <br /> m� • •Solar • • • r • <br /> a <br /> 0 <br /> in wastewater <br /> T <br /> O <br /> Thanks to proven reliability Dupre:Solar is a longer-term energy <br /> and the decreasing costs of solution for wastewater treatment plants <br /> solar panels,solar energy and makes sense.With the costs of solar <br /> is proving a viable ticket to panels coming down 44%in 2011 and <br /> energy efficiency at wastewater an operating life of 20 to 35 years,solar <br /> treatment plants(W WTPs). power is reliable.Additionally,solar has <br /> WWD Managing Editor Elizabeth a great application value,providing flexi- <br /> Lisican recently spoke with bility.You can install it on a rooftop,car- <br /> SPG Solar Director of Project port,the ground or even on water. <br /> Development Dylan Dupre about <br /> solar's increasing influence. Lisican:What future developments <br /> do you foresee regarding solar energy's <br /> Lisican:Municipalities across the role in wastewater treatment? <br /> country often are faced with this press- Dupre:We see a hybrid solution <br /> ing question for their wastewater treat- available for wastewater treatment <br /> ment facilities:What kind of alternative plants.In addition to solar on land,solar <br /> energy strategies not only will save a can also float on water.This provides a <br /> significant amount of money,but also solution if land is too costly,since float- <br /> have minimal environmental impact? ing solar converts an available holding <br /> Dupre:With electricity costs as the pond into a renewable energy produc- <br /> largest portion of the annual operat- tion platform.SPG Solar installed the <br /> ing budget for water and wastewater first commercial floating solar power <br /> treatment facilities,solutions to con- system in 2007.It not only produces <br /> trol and lower costs while creating clean electricity,but it also helps reduce <br /> clean energy are key. water evaporation by up to 70%and <br /> Solar energy taps into the largest improves water quality by reducing, <br /> resource available—the sun.In fact,every algae growth.Additionally,the solar <br /> hour,the sun radiates more energy onto panels not only cool the water,but the <br /> the earth than the entire human popula- panels work more efficiently since they, <br /> tion uses in one whole year.Solar makes too,are cooled. <br /> sense for wastewater treatment plants.A <br /> compelling feature of solar is that it can Lisican:Please discuss a few exam- <br /> help manage peak electricity demand, pies of projects in which solar has been <br /> Solar power systems generate the most implemented at a W WTP. <br /> electricity midday.This coincides with Dupre:SPG Solar designed and <br /> when utility rates are most expensive,so installed an innovative 2.3 NIW DC <br /> solar provides a mechanism for peak sav- system at the Neely Waste Water and <br /> ing and immediate savings. Reclamation Facility in Gilbert,Ariz. <br /> [Because]space was limited,we engi- <br /> Lisican:What are some of the big- neered one of the first ground-mounted <br /> gest trends you are seeing right now in tracking systems built directly in five <br /> terms of energy savings at W WTPs? operating recharge basins.With no <br /> Dupre:Wastewater treatment plants upfront capital costs to the municipal- <br /> are looking at demand-response to shift ity,since SPG Solar provided a Power <br /> operating and pumping hours to off-peak Purchase Agreement,the system will <br /> hours.Also,wastewater treatment plants provide asavings of tip to$2 million over <br /> nationwide are realizing the business the next 20 years and provide the equiva- <br /> case for solar.A key vehicle for adoption lent of approximately 40%of the electric- <br /> has been the Power Purchase Agreement, ity used at the reclamation facility.m <br /> which allows townships to access tax <br /> credits through private investors.There Dylan Dupre is director of project <br /> is no need for a capital outlay and the development for SPG Solar,Dupre can be <br /> risk around the installation and mainte- dylan,dupre@spgsolar.com or 4'15.382.2172. <br /> nance is removed from the wastewater <br /> treatment plants.The outcome of a solar Elizabeth Lisican is nianaging editor for <br /> installation is a hedge against rising i til- Water&Wastes Digest.Lisican can be <br /> ity rates and long-term predictability. reached at elisican@sgcmail,coni <br /> or 847.391,1012, <br /> Lisican:How can solar energy be <br /> harnessed to solve W WTPs'energy For inore information,write in 1115 on this <br /> efficiency issues? issue's reader service form on page 54. <br />