Williams' solar array already paying dividends

The new solar array at the Williams wastewater treatment plant has already paid dividends for the city.

Mayor John Troughton Jr. accepted an $88,291 rebate check form PG&E at the dedication of the solar project on Wednesday.

The project was constructed by SPG Solar. Work started in February and went online in mid-September, City Administrator Chuck Bergson said Friday.

The city purchases power it needs from SPG, the rest is sold to PG&E.

The energy savings and other "green" conservation efforts the city has done in relation to the project is why the power utility wrote the rebate check.

"When the plant went green and because we used all the latest green strategies," Bergson said, "PG&E rewarded us with the rebate."

The 282-kilowatt system sits on 4 acres next to the sewer plant and is projected to generate 507,000 kilowatt hours in its first year.

The city agreed to the plant and its purchase agreement in August.

SPG is responisble for all maintenance.

Over the 20-year life of the project, the city projects it will save about $1.33 million dollars — and $20,000 the first year.