GHG Emissions, Solar  -  September 5, 2024

Pendleton Wastewater Facility Adds Solar

The Pendleton Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery Facility (WWTRRF) broke ground on a 240-kW solar photovoltaic (PV) canopy system, a step toward achieving the Oregon city's ambitious goal of bringing the facility closer to net-zero.

The solar PV canopy project — funded by a combination of state grants, federal incentives, utility incentives and city resources — is designed to generate approximately 325,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. The installation not only reduces the facility's reliance on non-renewable energy sources but also enhances the efficiency of the wastewater treatment process by providing shade to the chlorine contact chamber, leading to lower operational costs and improved water quality.

The project was conducted by Ameresco, Inc., a cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“This has been an idea for about 10 years, so it feels awesome to be here,” said Kyle Willman, Technician and Lead Plant Operator at Wastewater Treatment Resource Recovery Facility (WWTRRF), in a statement. “We really try to focus on recovering as many resources as we can, and this project will cut about 30 percent off our power bill annually. I can’t wait to move forward.”

The project has also garnered support from the Oregon Department of Energy’s Community Renewable Energy Grant Program (CREP), further highlighting the collaborative effort to enhance local infrastructure and sustainability.

This project is part of a broader initiative at the Pendleton WWTRRF, which includes a suite of renewable energy and efficiency upgrades designed to reduce the facility's carbon footprint and operational costs. In addition to the solar PV canopy, plans include the integration of a battery energy storage system (BESS) that will further enhance the facility’s energy management capabilities.

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