Broomfield, Colo. – MWH, the global wet infrastructure leader and provider of environmental engineering services, announced today that it has been selected by the Sacramento County Water Agency to provide solar photovoltaic generating system consulting services at the Vineyard Surface Water Treatment Plant (SWTP).  

MWH will perform a feasibility study, assist in the procurement, installation and commissioning of up to a1.0 megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) generating system for the Vineyard SWTP, which will support the county’s commitment to the State of California’s Energy Strategic plan, a long-term plan that calls for businesses, consumers and utilities to integrate energy efficiency as a standard for operating in the state.  Currently under construction and expected to be completed in 2011, the Vineyard SWTP was designed by a Sacramento-based MWH team through a separate $23.7 million contract awarded in 2004.  The PV generating system is expected to generate up to 50 percent of the electricity needed to operate the plant. 

“We are pleased to extend our relationship with the Sacramento County Water Authority through this solar photovoltaic generation project,” said Maggie Kido, project manager and lead engineer for MWH.  “Bringing innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients is a priority at MWH. We are proud to be part of a project that not only meets the needs of communities where we live and work, but also supports statewide efforts to conserve energy.”  

Solar PV generating systems produce electricity that can be used to reduce, or even replace, electricity purchased from an energy grid and have recently grown in popularity at water and wastewater plants across California.  Benefits of the system include cost savings both before and after the payback period and fewer air emissions than conventional power sources.