Tempe is halfway to its goal of getting 20 percent of the power for city operations from renewable energy by 2025.
The completion of a solar project at the Johnny G. Martinez Water Treatment plant boosts the city’s renewable energy use to 10 percent.
“We think that this project and future energy investments are a good opportunity to walk the talk and inspire other residents and businesses to make similar investments,” said Grace DelMonte Kelly, Tempe’s energy management coordinator.
The project encompasses 2,052 solar panels and will supply 30 percent of the treatment plant’s power. This is the second water-treatment plant the city outfitted with solar panels. The first is South Water Treatment Plant, which was finished in 2014.
“About a third of the city’s energy use is from treating water that becomes drinking water for residents,” Kelly said.
The project is a collaboration between Tempe and SRP. Estimates show Tempe will save $530,000 in utilities in the next 20 years.
