Solar at Metro Water Services

 

Background

Water and wastewater utilities are typically a city’s largest energy users, accounting for 30-40% of a the total energy use. The heavy demand and resulting expense makes water utilities ideal candidates for solar installation. Building on the success of a company-wide Energy Management Program, Nashville’s water department decided to explore solar opportunities to save money, reduce carbon emissions and increase resiliency. The solar industry is in a sweet spot right now, with the price of solar panels falling nearly 80% in the last decade, and the solar tax credit extended by the Inflation Reduction Act. There has never been a better time to go solar!

Results

Wilmot worked with MWS to evaluate all facilities for potential solar installations. The resulting plan includes installations at three wastewater treatment plants, allowing for beneficial reuse of land that would otherwise remain vacant. Wilmot also created the financial model to evaluate design alternatives and provide MWS with the vendor bid package. The innovative third-party ownership and behind the meter model is expected to save MWS $6M.

The initial program was so successful that Phase 2 is now in progress, expanding solar generation at MWS facilities to a total of 20MW.

QUICK FACTS:

Client:
Metro Nashville

Location:
Nashville, TN

Markets:

  • Municipal

Services:

  • Feasibility study

  • Solar development + planning

  • Project Management

 
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