City of Raleigh Partners in the Development of a Roof-Top Solar Array (NCSEA)
The City of Raleigh has partnered with Progress Energy and Carolina Solar Energy for the development of a solar array on the E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant located at the corner of Falls of the Neuse and Raven Ridge Roads in north Raleigh.
In 2009 Progress Energy Carolinas (PEC) launched its SunSenseSM Commercial Solar PV Program, which provides a fixed premium price for electricity from commercial rooftop solar PV arrays. The program is designed to encourage the development of multiple PV technologies by many companies at locations across the state. In just its first six months, the utility accepted proposals totaling more than 2 MW.
During this same time period the City of Raleigh initiated a major City-wide sustainability effort. All City Departments were asked to investigate opportunities for the City to invest in sustainability projects.
PEC selected Carolina Solar Energy (CSE) as their preferred developer for a .2 MW ac (250 KWdc) rooftop photovoltaic array, which is the largest possible under the SunSense commercial PV program. The PV Solar project proposed by Carolina Solar Energy is the first solar generator in the Southeast to use the First Solar, the industry leader in thin film PV solar panels.
Carolina Solar Energy contacted the City of Raleigh to inquire about possible rooftop locations that might be viable for the installation of a photovoltaic array of this type.
After staff evaluations of several possible locations, the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department (CORPUD) identified the roof top of the “Clearwell” of the City’s E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant. The “Clearwell” is a 117,000 square foot enclosed concrete structure holding treated water ready to be distributed throughout the City’s water supply system.
The City of Raleigh and Carolina Solar Energy entered into a lease agreement for the roof-top installation of the array with an option for the City to purchase the array in the future from Carolina Solar Energy.
The PV Solar project incorporates 3450 FIRST SOLAR Thin Film modules in 68, 40′ X 10′, 30 degree fixed tilt angle, ballasted arrays. For purposes of comparison, the .2 MW AC solar generator will produce approximately 325,000 kWh annually, equal to the annual energy usage of about 22 average North Carolina homes and avoid the emissions of 230 metric tons of CO2.
“We are very pleased at the City of Raleigh to be a partner w/ Carolina Solar Energy and Progress Energy in bringing renewable energy to municipal government in North Carolina. This project is the first of what we hope will be many similar ones that will contribute both to improving our air quality and bringing “green jobs” to our region,” remarked Julian Prosser, Assistant City Manager.
January 19, 2010
