November 21, 2003

Santa Clara Valley Water District’s Solar project: Cost-effective and eco-friendly

By Candy Richter
Staff Writer

True to the company’s “think blue, think green, think smart” motto, Santa Clara Valley Water District has adopted an aggressive plan to shift its energy source from the traditional electricity-based model to a natural gas and solar model, which is projected to save the company an estimated $150,000 per year in energy costs.

In addition to the yearly cost savings, converting to this new energy-efficient mode will reduce the facility’s pollutant outputs of carbon dioxide (greenhouse effect gasses), sulfur dioxide (acid rain), and nitrogen dioxide (smog), adding ecological benefits to the project’s bottom-line improvements.

A central component of the conversion project will be the construction of two “solarports” located directly in front of SCVWD’s main headquarters on Almaden Expressway. The ports, designed by the Sacramento-based architectural firm of Mogavero, Notestine & Associates, will provide the support system for the multi-crystalline silicon solar cells, which will produce 105 kilowatts of energy. Additional solar panels, installed on the roof of the Almaden campus administrative building, will produce an additional 95 kw, for a total of 200 kw, or roughly 20 percent of the facility’s energy needs.

Working in conjunction with the solar arm of the project will be a natural gas-fired “cogeneration” system that will include both a 1,000 kw natural gas electrical generator and a heat recovery unit that will serve as the heating and cooling source for the facility, thus eliminating any thermal impact on the surrounding area.

“We’ve seen an increase of 50 percent to 60 percent in our power costs,” says Stan Kaut, manager of the water utility engineering unit at SCVWD. “So we started looking at alternative sources for energy—wind, cells, even possibly getting into the power business ourselves—but solar was the real stand-out.”

Although the total project cost to SCVWD is estimated at $4.6 million, when the various state-funded incentives for converting to “green” energy are factored in, the actual expenditures will come in at $2.3 million, which will be funded by SCVWD Capitol Project Program funds.

“These funds are used for a variety of improvement projects,” adds Kaut. “For example, when we needed to change the pump drive out at Pacheco. When these projects come up, they are analyzed and prioritized. A project that would impact a water filtering system, for instance, would take precedence over something like the solar project. It’s based on the impact to the system. This project got the go-ahead because of not only the cost savings, but also the environmental benefits.”

Adding to the cost effectiveness of the solarport project is the type of photovotive cells the district plans to use. Provided by Powerlight, the recognized leader in photovotive technology, the multi-crystalline panels are virtually maintenance-free and can withstand impacts up to 70 miles per hour.

“As a public utility, we are required to put our jobs out for bid,” explains Kaut. “As it turned out, Powerlight saw this as a real opportunity for them and came in low to get the job. Now we have the leader in this field providing the cells and they get the opportunity to work with our facility. It was a real win-win.”

According to Associate Electrical Engineer Arvind Tailor, SCVWD built maintenance training into its contract with Powerlight. “We are getting both a maintenance manual and training for our staff, so we will be completely self-sufficient.”

Looking at a direct cost-to-cost comparison, current energy costs to SCVWD run approximately 14 cents per kilowatt hour. On the new system, the average costs will be only 8 cents per kwh. SCVWD estimates a five-year payback for the natural gas portion of the project and an average estimate of 12 years on the solar portion.
“We’re very proud of this project,” says Kaut. “Eventually, we plan to have an educational kiosk display at headquarters to show the public how much we’re producing, how much we’re saving, and what benefits we’re bringing to the environment through this conversion. We want to share this with the public.”

In fact, sharing with the public has been the most common complaint about this and other SCVWD undertakings. “I feel like this was a ‘done deal’ before the community even had a chance to get involved,” says Almaden activist Yvette Osborne, who found out about the solar project in the SCVWD newsletter. “They need to let us know what’s going on, get input, share information. [The neighbors] are a part of this community, and the district needs to respect that.”

Coming on the heels of the community neglect allegations regarding the district’s handling of the Penitencia Water Treatment Plant construction in East San Jose, SCVWD has received failing marks in the community outreach area, a reputation they are moving quickly to rectify.
“QUOTE FROM MIKE”

Photo 1 top of port: The two solarports will produce a combined 200 kilowatts of energy, roughly 20 percent of the Almaden campus’ energy needs. Utilizing the latest in photovotive technology, the multi-crystalline panels are easy to maintain and easy to repair, virtually eliminating upkeep costs. Although resilient enough to withstand a 70 mph impact, the district has 10 spare panels on hand “just in case.” The new carports will also be equipped with four electric vehicle (EV) recharge outlets.

Photo 2 top of roof: Solar planes on the roof of the SCVWD administration building were placed to receive maximum sun exposure. “We’ve considered everything,” says Stan Kaut, SCVWD’s manager of the water utility engineering unit. “We even looked at the reflective impact of air traffic.” Providing the balance of the facility’s energy needs will be a 1,000-kilowatt natural gas generator, to be located approximately 150 yards from the intersection of Coleman and Almaden Expressway, in a maintenance yard.

Photo 3 side of port: Although there was initial community skepticism surrounding the $4.6 million cost of the solar project, state rebates and other incentives will cut the total project cost by half, which will be funded by SCVWD Capitol Project funds. “This project will not cost the consumer,” says Kaut. “If anything, by reducing our energy costs, which are built into our rates, we can keep our customer’s costs down.”