California Center for Sustainable Energy

County Water Authority installs PV at three facilities

Solar photovoltaic ( PV) systems with a combined size of 1.5 megawatts of electricity are now in operation at three San Diego County Water Authority facilities. Based on current rates, the systems are projected to save the region’s ratepayers $1.7 million in energy costs over the next 20 years and will enable the agency to meet a significant portion of its power needs with renewable energy.

"The installation of these systems is truly a great project because it reflects our commitment to manage costs for our ratepayers, while helping us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions," said Michael T. Hogan, Water Authority board chair.

The solar panels were installed at no cost to the Water Authority under a power purchase agreement ( PPA) with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. The project received a $2,335,176 California Solar Initiative rebate from CCSE Executive Director Irene Stillings during a ceremony held August 25.

In all, more than 7,500 solar panels are now in operation at the Water Authority’s Kearny Mesa headquarters, the Fred A. Heilbron Operations Center in Escondido and at the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant north of San Marcos. The Water Authority estimates that the systems will generate enough renewable energy to meet approximately 60 percent of the needs for the Kearny Mesa facility, 55 percent for the Escondido facility and 25 percent for the water treatment plant.

Borrego Solar estimates that these systems will produce enough renewable energy over the next 30 years to prevent more than 100 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. That’s equivalent to planting more than 900 acres of trees or conserving nearly 145,000 barrels of oil.

The Water Authority also is constructing a pumped storage project at Lake Hodges. The project will generate up to 40 megawatts of hydroelectric power for the region by releasing water from Olivenhain Reservoir and passing it through turbines as it flows more than 700 feet downhill into Lake Hodges. Power will be generated during times of peak demand, and water will be pumped back into Olivenhain Reservoir during off-peak hours when energy costs less. The Water Authority estimates this project will be completed in 2012.

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