Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors voted 4-0 Thursday to study a solar power system in the agency. The board heard a presentation from a solar power system installer from San Jose, and debated how much time and money they wanted to put into the study. They eventually OK’d no more than 60 hours of engineering work, with AWA staff pursuing “low-cost, no-cost interfacing” with PG&E and the company SunnyCal Solar. Steve Dollens, manager of SunnyCal, which has a local branch in Valley Springs, gave a presentation on approximate system parameters based on information given from board members. Dollens toured agency facilities at Tiger Creek, Tanner and the district office; and reviewed PG&E expenses and history; before working on a “preliminary assessment of possibilities.” He said based on $250,000 a year in PG&E bills, and 1.25 million watts a year usage, the company recommended a 5- to 7-acre area of solar panels, at a gross cost of $9 million, which would reduce the PG&E bill to $2,000 a year. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo asked if the study was based strictly on electricity used in the pump stations of the Central Amador Water Project, at Tiger Creek and Silver Lake. The 2 pumps use the most electricity of any system in AWA’s operation, or $270,000 last year, but did not make up the entire agency’s budget. Director Don Cooper said he supported the idea, but the timing was wrong, because the agency is facing an upcoming “borrowing mode,” to make a payment on the Amador Transmission Pipeline. He said he would to see it in their capital outlays list. Director Gary Thomas said he would like to look at ways to save money for customers, and some areas like Camanche would be ideal locations for solar panels, while “Tiger and Silver” areas are not. Vice President Debbie Dunn said the $250,000 number was just a ballpark amount, and the company should not be criticized for the work, because it was done in 2 days. Dunn also supported the study because it would save the agency $200,000. She supported quick action because she did not know “how long the money stays around.” Dollens said federal money set aside “to reduce fossil fuel use by water agencies” equaled $900 million for California, under the “Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.” But he said those projects must be under contract within 12 months. Dollens recommended a “Power Purchase Agreement,” with “little up-front cost.” He said it gives “predictably lower cost electricity, less ownership burden,” and the “owner can benefit from free-market incentives.” AWA supplies the property for the solar installation, and keeps ownership of the property, he said, and the agency could also sell excess power. Mancebo said he was unsure of legal parameters. Attorney Steve Kronick said the “Agency Act,” under which AWA was formed, allowed and referred to only hydroelectric power generation and sales. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Friday, 12 March 2010 01:18
AWA Approves Engineering Study of Solar Power Project
Amador County – The Amador Water Agency board of directors voted 4-0 Thursday to study a solar power system in the agency. The board heard a presentation from a solar power system installer from San Jose, and debated how much time and money they wanted to put into the study. They eventually OK’d no more than 60 hours of engineering work, with AWA staff pursuing “low-cost, no-cost interfacing” with PG&E and the company SunnyCal Solar. Steve Dollens, manager of SunnyCal, which has a local branch in Valley Springs, gave a presentation on approximate system parameters based on information given from board members. Dollens toured agency facilities at Tiger Creek, Tanner and the district office; and reviewed PG&E expenses and history; before working on a “preliminary assessment of possibilities.” He said based on $250,000 a year in PG&E bills, and 1.25 million watts a year usage, the company recommended a 5- to 7-acre area of solar panels, at a gross cost of $9 million, which would reduce the PG&E bill to $2,000 a year. Interim General Manager Gene Mancebo asked if the study was based strictly on electricity used in the pump stations of the Central Amador Water Project, at Tiger Creek and Silver Lake. The 2 pumps use the most electricity of any system in AWA’s operation, or $270,000 last year, but did not make up the entire agency’s budget. Director Don Cooper said he supported the idea, but the timing was wrong, because the agency is facing an upcoming “borrowing mode,” to make a payment on the Amador Transmission Pipeline. He said he would to see it in their capital outlays list. Director Gary Thomas said he would like to look at ways to save money for customers, and some areas like Camanche would be ideal locations for solar panels, while “Tiger and Silver” areas are not. Vice President Debbie Dunn said the $250,000 number was just a ballpark amount, and the company should not be criticized for the work, because it was done in 2 days. Dunn also supported the study because it would save the agency $200,000. She supported quick action because she did not know “how long the money stays around.” Dollens said federal money set aside “to reduce fossil fuel use by water agencies” equaled $900 million for California, under the “Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.” But he said those projects must be under contract within 12 months. Dollens recommended a “Power Purchase Agreement,” with “little up-front cost.” He said it gives “predictably lower cost electricity, less ownership burden,” and the “owner can benefit from free-market incentives.” AWA supplies the property for the solar installation, and keeps ownership of the property, he said, and the agency could also sell excess power. Mancebo said he was unsure of legal parameters. Attorney Steve Kronick said the “Agency Act,” under which AWA was formed, allowed and referred to only hydroelectric power generation and sales. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Latest from
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