By Aaron Dorman | Pinal Central
COOLIDGE — The City Council moved forward on a major renewable energy project on Monday, approving the construction of a solar array on the city’s wastewater treatment plant to be completed by the end of 2021.
The project is designed to significantly reduce energy costs at the site; the wastewater pumps, which have high peak energy loads, currently account for one-third of Coolidge’s yearly energy budget. The panels will help offset energy costs during those peak load periods.
According to City Manager Rick Miller, the solar company Urban Energy Solutions has been working with and advising Coolidge business leaders on identifying ways to become more energy efficient, and city officials were swayed by their presentation of the solar array concept.
