Artesian Water Company has installed a solar power system at its Big Oak Water Treatment Plant as part of a company-wide effort to improve energy efficiency and cut costs by reducing electric consumption.
The facility on Big Oak Road south of Smyrna, near Big Oak Park, treats water for several subdivisions south of Smyrna, including Burtonwood Village, Spring Meadow and Twin Willows.
The small, roof-mounted solar panel system will produce approximately 25 kilowatt hours per day on average, which will offset a portion of the total power needed to run the Big Oak plant.
“We were limited by the size of the roof in this case, but the electricity we can produce will still result in a significant energy savings,” said Barry Price, a senior project manager at Artesian who is leading the company’s energy efficiency initiatives. “The system should pay for itself within five years, thanks to a state grant that covered 50 percent of the construction cost and a 30 percent federal tax credit.”
Artesian has established a program for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Goals of these initiatives are to reduce electricity consumption and fossil fuel dependence, reduce operating costs, reduce the company’s carbon footprint, and minimize environmental impacts. In addition to the solar power system at Big Oak, equipment upgrades to improve energy efficiency are underway at the Llangollen and Old County Road Water Treatment Plants. The company is also exploring renewable energy opportunities such as solar, wind power and geothermal heating/cooling at other sites.
Artesian has also identified several green initiatives for new construction, including the recycling of water from analyzers and filters, use of drought-tolerant landscaping, energy-efficient equipment design, use of “green” building materials, and renewable energy.
SMYRNA, Del. —
