The City of Watertown is proud to announce the installation of a new solar array at its Wastewater Treatment Facility, marking a major step forward in sustainable energy use and operational efficiency.
The solar project covers approximately 2.5 acres of the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s facility that and represents an investment of $886,050. The City secured significant financial support to bring this project to life, including the maximum allowable grant of $300,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy and an additional $24,750 from Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program.
Once connected to the facility’s internal electric grid the solar array will offset a substantial portion of the facility’s monthly electricity costs. On average, the wastewater plant spends $30,000 per month on electricity. The new system is projected to save $4,000 to $5,000 per month, offering an estimated investment payback of less than 10 years.
The solar array installation is also forward-looking. As the Wastewater Treatment Facility prepares to install a new sludge dryer in the near future, the solar array will provide critical additional electrical capacity to help power the new system. By producing renewable energy onsite, rising energy demands can be met sustainably and cost-effectively.
The system is designed solely for the facility’s internal use and will not feed into the external WE Energies power grid.
With strong grant support, significant projected savings, and the ability to power future equipment needs, this solar array highlights the City of Watertown’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship.