City of Vacaville
City of Vacaville
Pairing solar-plus-storage with critical pubic infrastructure at a 24/7/365 industrial facility for wastewater treatment.
The City of Vacaville needed a reliable, cost-effective clean energy supply to power its energy-intensive Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant while reducing emissions and protecting ratepayers from rising utility costs.
ForeFront Power developed a 5 MW DC solar-plus-storage system under a 20-year PPA with no upfront cost, providing a fixed, below-utility electricity rate while owning, operating, and maintaining the project.
The system generates about 8.1 million kWh annually, offsetting roughly 80% of the plant’s electricity use, avoiding over 4,500 tons of carbon emissions each year, and is projected to save the City more than $25 million in electricity costs over 20 years.
The City of Vacaville partnered with ForeFront Power to develop a 5 megawatt-DC (MW DC) solar energy and storage portfolio at the City’s Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant (EWWTP). The new solar and storage system will generate nearly 8.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, offsetting approximately 80% of the plant’s annual electricity and saving the City more than $25 million in electricity costs.
Treating up to 7.5 million gallons of wastewater daily, the plant is a critical 24/7/365 industrial public facility. Wastewater treatment is an energy-intensive process requiring an uninterrupted power supply for essential functions such as aeration, pumping, and disinfection. The City of Vacaville’s solar and storage system is a fiscally and environmentally responsible measure to secure a stable, clean energy supply for critical infrastructure.
"Our solar and storage system was built at no upfront cost to the community or any resident ratepayers through this public-private partnership. All the costs were fronted by ForeFront Power. And the estimated savings are $25 million. So no upfront costs, with savings and also sustainability benefits. You can't beat that."
By integrating solar power and energy storage, the EWWTP facilities decrease their reliance on costly grid electricity, leading to lower energy bills. Vacaville is projected to save over $25 million over the next 20 years through a fixed, lower electricity rate than the local utility. These savings will be passed on to ratepayers. The system will also benefit surrounding communities by avoiding over 4,500 tons of carbon emissions annually—the equivalent of taking 900 gas-powered cars off the road each year—thereby reducing the City’s carbon footprint and improving local air quality.
The City of Vacaville was able to pursue this project at no upfront cost through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ForeFront Power. The PPA enables the City to secure a fixed, lower electricity rate than the utility for the next 20 years, ensuring budget stability while avoiding rising utility costs. ForeFront Power will continue to own, operate, and maintain the system throughout the term of the agreement.
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