Solar Array at WWTF

New Solar Array at WWTF
Completed Solar Array at the Bristol Waste Water Treatment Facility

On August 19th of 2021, a dedication service was held at the Bristol Wastewater Treatment Facility for the town’s new 350 KW Solar Array. The town of Bristol had approved the project at the town meeting in March of 2020 after a successful RFP and subsequent selection of a partner by the Bristol Energy Committee. The Solar Array was designed to specifically meet the power consumption needs of the WWTF facility. It has been operating for over one year and has met and exceeded projected cost savings over that period. The total cost of electricity for the plant during the one-year period of August 2022-23 was $30,085.58. This number includes all costs related to powering the WWTF plant including solar generated power. In comparison, the cost of powering the plant prior to the solar installation averaged over the 3 previous years was $34,396.36, a savings of $4,310.78. This is slightly above the projected year one savings of $3,712 predicted by Acuity Power Group Study done on the project in 2020. In fact, when compared to the cost of electricity to power the plant compared to the previous 12-month period, the savings are even higher. The cost of electricity for the period of August 2020 to August 2021 was $36,948.11 representing a savings of $6,862.53 or 18.5%. These savings are passed on to rate payers of town water and sewer services.

The installation of the Solar Array at the Bristol WWTF plant represents several benefits to Bristol residents. Not only is the plant reducing costs and holding down customer rates, but the source of the energy is a renewable and thus helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming thus reducing climate change. Further, because the electricity is consumed at the same location it is generated, there are no “line losses” related to power transmission. The power flows directly from the Solar Array to the WWTF facility. 

Another benefit is the Solar Array was implemented without cost to Bristol Taxpayers using a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The PPA is an agreement between the installer Barrington Power LLC and the Town of Bristol requiring Barrington Power to purchase, install, and maintain the power generation system. The Town of Bristol agrees to purchase all the power generated by the system at a predetermined price. This not only saves the town from having to raise the capital to purchase the Solar Arrays, but it also defines a specified cost for the electricity generated over the term of the agreement. Unlike retail electricity rates, which can vary significantly from year to year, the fixed price cost agreed to in the PPA allows the Town of Bristol to accurately forecast the cost of electricity for the coming year, making budgeting much easier. The agreement also allows for the Town of Bristol to purchase the power generation system in year 5 of the agreement, and each year after. This provides an even greater opportunity for cost savings in future years.

Select this link to view the current production of the WWTF Solar Array

Additional Resources:

WWTF Solar Project Frequently Asked Questions

Updated Financial Projects based on Barrington Power Escalation Parameters

Acuity Power analysis of WWTF Solar Array assumes initial escalations costs