Greenskies solar project powers Middletown water treatment plant

The Middletown Press | Staff
May 29, 2018

Greenskies Renewable Energy recently completed the installation of a solar array on a parcel of city property adjacent to the Higby water treatment facility.

This project, which will provide clean, renewable energy to operate the drinking-water treatment plant, will provide 75 percent of the power needed there, according to a press release.

Greenskies, with an office at 180 Johnson St., will own, maintain, and operate the solar array under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Middletown, and will sell power produced to the city at a discounted rate for the length of the contract.

“Middletown is pleased to extend our work on energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability, and municipal resiliency through this solar project associated with a key city water treatment facility,” Michael Harris, energy coordinator for the city of Middletown, said in a prepared statement.

“We recognize the increasing need to ensure resilient, equitable access to basic services for city residents while, at the same time, capturing cost savings. Renewable energy has emerged as a lower-cost option over the long term. The Greenskies project is helping us accomplish the strengthening of basic infrastructure while reducing operating costs,” he added.

The solar array is expected to produce 280,414 kWh of clean energy annually, which could power the equivalent of 23 homes and offset the environmental impact of 23,482 gallons of gasoline, or nearly 45 cars each year, the release said.

“Greenskies, a Clean Focus company, is pleased to work with the city of Middletown on the Higby water treatment facility. It is great to help our hometown achieve its sustainability goals,” Stanley Chin, president and CEO of Greenskies and Clean Focus Group said in the statement. “This project adds nicely to our large portfolio of municipal solar projects.”

Greenskies develops, constructs and maintains clean, renewable-energy projects in the United States, according to the company.

The Clean Focus group of companies originates, develops, finances, constructs, owns and operates renewable-energy projects in the United States, Taiwan and China. Clean Focus Yield owns and operates clean, renewable-energy projects in commercial, industrial, small-utility and community solar.