The City of Tempe, in partnership with SRP and Solar City, is preparing to place the final panel on the city’s largest solar project. Located at Tempe’s South Water Treatment Plant, the project features more than 3,000 solar panels that will generate more than 1.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year, supplying 15 percent of the plant’s energy needs.
“This is an important step in the City of Tempe’s commitment to sustainability,” said Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell. “This is the first and the largest of several solar projects that we’ll be implementing at city facilities over the next few years.”
Tempe expects to save more than $25,500 in utility costs during the first year, with anticipated savings of $2.3 million over 20 years. The project will reduce the water plant’s carbon emissions by 1,130 metric tons annually, equivalent to removing 235 cars from the road each year.
“The city of Tempe is to be commended for investing in green energy to provide water, a valuable resource, to its residents,” said Lori Singleton, SRP’s Director of Emerging Customer Programs for Solar, Sustainability and Telecom. “We commend the City of Tempe for their commitment to solar energy.”
Future solar projects include a 250-kilowatt facility at Tempe’s downtown Police/Courts building and 900-kilowatt facility at the city’s Johnny G. Martinez Water Treatment Plant.
