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Renewable Energy for Municipal Authorities

In total it is estimated that 3 to 4% of the electricity consumed in the US is used for treating and distributing water and wastewater. In southwestern Pennsylvania there are roughly 100 water and waste water authorities that operate to provide safe, clean water or treatment and clean up before release back into the environment.  One of the critical commodities they purchase is electricity that has, since 2001, increased in price by 53% (US Energy Information Administration). The price of electricity can account for as much as two thirds of the operating budget of a typical plant. In the meantime, demographic trends in the region indicate an aging population with less ability for rate payers to absorb higher costs for municipal utility services. With both a declining and an aging population on fixed incomes, these pressures are expected to increase in coming years.

Solar PV systems serving municipal treatment facilities will hedge against escalating electricity costs over the 25 to 30 year life of the system. Being hedged against current and future increases in electricity costs will help financially constrained Authorities to tap resources that are out of reach today given their current financial status. In many cases municipal system operators are already bumping up against their ability to increase rates in order to raise matching funds necessary to qualify for grants to maintain or improve operating efficiencies. In addition to stabilizing costs, municipal system operators with Solar PV systems will also qualify to market Alternative Energy Credits in PA’s Alternative Energy Portfolio, creating a secondary revenue stream

This webinar will introduce the Renewable Energy for Municipal Authorities Project (REMAP) which will demonstrate solar capacity for local municipal authorities that use sustainably produced electricity to offset purchases from the grid, the savings authorities can attain saving rate payers money and improving the authorities’ financial footing. Local municipalities need to consider energy conservation as part of their planning process and how this planning can address the opportunity to work with local municipal facilities including water & sewer infrastructure

Approved for  1.25 CM credit

More information contact Peter Wulfhorst, 570-296-3400.