RENO --City of Reno is excited to announce the completion of nine solar installations which is anticipated to save the City's general fund $1.6 to $3 million over the next 20 years and means the City is now receiving 15% to 18% of its total power from solar.

The nine installations are located at the Reno-Stead Wastewater Plant, the Public Works Corporation Yard, the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center, Reno Fire Station 3 on Moana Lane, Reno Fire Station 10 on North Virginia Street, Reno Fire Station 11 on Mae Anne Avenue, the Neil Road complex, Mira Loma Park, and the Rosewood Lakes Golf Course.

The solar projects provide power to the City at a starting cost of $0.069 per kilowatt hour. The total system is comprised of 5,016 solar panels with a total name plate of 1,027 kilowatt alternating current. The system is predicted to produce 1,911,511 kilowatt hours per year.

Funding was provided by a combination of $4.1 million in rebates from NV Energy and SolarGenerations program, federal tax incentives, and payments for the energy produced by the array. Solar energy company Enfinity America Corporation provided the remainder of the funding, and will own and operate the systems on behalf of City of Reno for the duration of the 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Enfinity’s Executive Vice-President Bob Hopper said, “City of Reno is the latest in our solar projects developed for municipalities. We look forward to delivering energy savings to City of Reno in addition to strengthening its position as a leader in sustainable living.”

The City of Reno’s nine solar projects were the first statewide Request for Proposal (RFP) to build renewable energy by taking advantage of a Nevada state law passed in October 2009 (AB 186) which allows for third party ownership of renewable energy generation systems. The law allows businesses, institutions, and governments to purchase solar arrays without upfront capital costs. Money is saved by paying long-term fixed rates on the energy generated.

“The City of Reno continues to be a leader in Nevada and these projects are just the latest proof,” advises John Hargrove, Manager of Energy Efficiency and Conservation for NV Energy. “The city's ongoing commitment to these types of projects is to be commended as they continue to save energy, improve the environment  and create local jobs, all while being fiscally responsible.”

In August 2010, Nevada Solar Works LLC., a partnership between Q&D Construction, CleanPath Renewables and Alternative Energy Solutions, won the contract to build the 1.3 megawatts of solar photovoltaic projects for the City of Reno. The solar installations were constructed by Swinerton Inc.

Visit www.reno.gov to use Reno’s Green Energy Dashboard which tracks energy generated by the City of Reno from solar and wind turbine systems installed on city facilities. For more information contact Jason Geddes, Environmental Service Administrator at 334-3311.