The city of Macomb will have a solar power station installed to run its wastewater treatment plant.
“It will essentially offset all of the electrical use for the wastewater plant,” said City Administrator Scott Coker.
Nania Energy Advisors is the consulting firm for the procurement portion of the project.
The firm’s Becky Thompson told the city council they received 12 qualified proposals to do the installation.
She recommended they hire Utopian Power.
“Utopian Power has local expertise, and including wastewater treatment plants specifically, which was pretty impressive to see. They were also the most cost-effective option as well,” she said.
The city and company are finalizing the price and terms for the project.
Coker estimated it will cost around $2.2 million.
“We’re going to ask for a local loan to finance that until we get all the credits because the state credits pay off over multiple years. Depending on the interest rate, within four or five years we’ll have the loan paid off and then it’ll just be free and clear, owned by the city,” he said.
The solar system will be installed at the future site of Macomb’s water plant at Grant and Ward streets, kitty-corner from the wastewater treatment plant.
Coker hopes construction can begin this summer.
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