Governments are now turning to wastewater treatment plants as a potential site for installing solar systems. A 1.15-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) system has been installed at a wastewater treatment plant in the city of Dinuba, Calif. This was a joint partnership venture by Chevron and Toiga Energy.
Chevron Energy Solutions did the plans, construction, and engineering. Tioga Energy financed the project and will own and manage the project. Tioga Energy will sell energy generated from this venture at a fixed price for a twenty-year agreement. Tioga Energy is an expert in selling renewable energy under long-term agreements to commercial, non-government organizations, and government. This agreement makes it possible for these institutions to avail of renewable energy with no upfront capital.
The city of Dinuba is happy to have a landmark of solar energy that uses a wastewater treatment site. Tioga and Chevron have also recently worked together on a solar project in Hawaii. Tioga has also played a leading role id developing what is known within the industry as the ‘Morris model’. This was a project done with the Morris County Improvement Authority located in New Jersey. This new model makes it possible for governments to issue low-interest bonds for financing renewable energy projects. Partnering with a third-party investor provides leverage for federal tax incentives.
