The City of Wauwatosa, Wisc., partnered with McKinstry to design, install, commission and monitor a 371.3 kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) array on the roof of the city’s Public Works Facility. The project is expected to generate 466.4 megawatt-hours (MWh) of solar energy each year, saving city residents in annual utility costs while increasing sustainability by offsetting an estimated 96 percent of the facility’s annual electricity consumption.
In addition to substantial energy cost savings, the City of Wauwatosa will receive more than $100,000 in incentives through the Renewable Energy Competitive Incentive Program (RECIP) offered by Focus on Energy. The statewide utility program provides incentives for cost-effective renewable energy systems installed at eligible Wisconsin businesses through a competitive proposal process. The combination of these incentives and annual energy savings will cover the cost of the Wauwatosa solar project
McKinstry’s technology-agnostic approach and integrated design services deliver a streamlined solution that deploys best-in-class products at lower costs. McKinstry engineers maximize system energy production to ensure municipal clients get the most out of their investments at minimal ongoing operating and maintenance costs.
“Renewable energy is no longer out of reach for cities and public institutions across Wisconsin, especially as technology costs for solar PV arrays continue to fall,” said Harlan Ward, McKinstry’s project director overseeing the City of Wauwatosa solar deployment. “Wauwatosa city officials identified a tremendous opportunity to save taxpayer dollars by cutting utility costs while simultaneously making the city more sustainable.”
The Wauwatosa Public Works Facility solar project is scheduled to be complete in November 2019 with no disruption expected to City of Wauwatosa operations.
— Solar Builder magazine
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