HMUA Wastewater Treatment Goes Solar with HelioSagePosted on March 25, 2010 at 9:10 am Where can you find a power source that's clean, cheap and lasts forever? Bruce Smith, Executive Director of the Hackettstown Municipal Utilities Authority (HMUA), has found one - the sun. The HMUA announced today that is has partnered with HelioSage, LLC, a solar energy service provider, to host a solar photovoltaic (PV) array at the wastewater treatment facility. HelioSage will finance, install, own, and operate the system, and sell HMUA the power generated. "The HMUA has consistently demonstrated leadership in environmentally sound operations. Pursuing solar at the wastewater treatment plant is a natural extension of this commitment," says Mr. Smith. "Many people are unaware that by EPA estimates, over 3% of all power generated in the U.S. is consumed by water and wastewater treatment facilities. It is incumbent upon the water and wastewater industry to develop a plan for curbing our environmental impact - and to do so in a fiscally responsible manner that keeps rates down for customers." Through a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA), the HMUA will purchase solar electricity below market rates from HelioSage. The Auhtority will not be responsible for any capital costs, or for operation or maintenance of the system. "A solar power purchase agreement acts as a source of cost savings and a hedge against rising energy prices," says Mike Knetzger, Senior Project Developer at HelioSage. "A PPA also relieves the client of the financial and technical burdens associated with an expensive solar energy system." The 50 kilowatt solar photovoltaic ground mount system is being treated as a pilot project ahead of what could be several more solar installations at the site. The system is expected to produce more than 60,000 killowatt hours of electricity in the first year - much of it generated during typical peak demand periods. Construction on the array is expected to commence in the 2nd quarter of 2010. About the Hackettstown Municipal Utilities Authority About HelioSage Energy |
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Hackettstown Municipal Utilities Authority 424 Hurley Drive P.O. Box 450 Hackettstown, NJ 07840 |
Phone - 908-852-3622 - Fax - 908-852-2681 E-Mail - custserv@hmua.com Regular Weekday Business Hours - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |