Solar Panels at WWTRRF

Covering of the CCC will provide three key benefits: first being the production of power for the facility, second is the shading of the chamber reducing the amount of chlorine chemical lost due to UV degradation, third is the cooling effects from the shading on the water. The addition of covering the secondary clarifier will also provide similar benefits minus the reduction in chlorine usage.

Each year, the WWTRRF spends about $120,000 in power bills, and this project is expected to reduce that amount by a third ($40,000) each year in addition to the savings in purchase of chlorine. This is part of a long-term facility goal to become energy self-sustaining.


There are four primary benefits for the solar array covering the Chlorine Contact Chamber (CCC) with a solar panel array:
1. Electricity Production: Production of electricity that will offset energy consumption by an annual ~ 30%. The WWTRRF is one of the larger power users in the City. Optimized management of electricity will also allow the City furthered development growth as electricity/grid access is a limiting factor currently.
2. Reduced Chlorine Use: Shade to reduce the degradation of chlorine, thus allowing for less chemical use. This will mean less chemicals in the water and lower operating costs for the plant.
3. Reduced effluent temperature: Shading of the CCC and secondary clarifier that produces lower effluent temperatures which is favorable for the DEQ permit and consequently the health of the McKay Creek and the Umatilla River that are the recipients of the effluent
4. Reduced biogrowth/contaminants in the CCC: Shading of the CCC will reduce the algae growth across the system and minimize ‘debris/contaminants’ entering the system from above. This means less cleaning/maintenance of the CCC which is beneficial for plant optimization and personnel safety. Additionally, less biogrowth/debris means less chlorine usage as well (see item #2 above!).