Massachusetts-based renewable energy company Ameresco has completed the installation of a 545-kW (dc) behind-the-meter, non-export solar photovoltaic (PV) array at the wastewater treatment plant of the city of Missoula in Montana.
Construction on the solar array began during the summer of 2022 and reached completion at the end of March. Ameresco was selected by the city of Missoula to design, build, own, operate and maintain the 948-panel ground-mounted solar PV array under a 25-year solar energy agreement.
The project, which required zero upfront capital funding from the city, is expected to generate more than 700,000 kWh annually, offsetting the wastewater treatment facility’s annual electricity consumption by more than 20 percent.
According to the company, it is the largest behind-the-meter, non-export solar PV array in Montana and will save the city of Missoula over $7,000 in annual electricity costs. It is also expected to reduce the city’s scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by almost 8,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent throughout the life of the project.
The electricity produced by the solar PV at the wastewater treatment plant will be consumed onsite, lowering operating costs and emissions linked with the wastewater treatment processes.
The city of Missoula aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2025 and has implemented several initiatives and projects to support citywide decarbonization as part of the Conservation and Climate Action Plan.
“Our city has a long track record of implementing forward-thinking conservation and climate change measures and the completion of the solar PV array at our wastewater treatment facility is another demonstration of our commitment to sustainability,” said Ross Mollenhauer, Engineering Manager for the city of Missoula. “We are thankful to our partners at Ameresco for helping us maximize our investment in clean energy and for producing work that will enable the city to lower our electricity consumption and emissions, and in turn move us towards our goal of carbon neutrality.”
