10/24/2009 10:01:00 PM Chino Valley eyes solar project at treatment plant
Les Stukenberg, file/ The Daily Courier Solar energy is popping up all over the tri-city area, including as a solar water heater on this Prescott Valley residence back in February.
The Town of Chino Valley plans to build a solar demonstration project at the town's wastewater treatment plant.
Thursday, the town council authorized town staff to submit a request for information proposal to the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant for the town's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocation to not exceed $91,307.24.
Mark Holmes, Water Resource manager, said he, Vice Mayor Ron Romley and Councilwoman Linda Hatch went to Tempe to visit Technischer Uberwachungs-Verein Rheinland Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory and APS's solar plant. He told the council about how TUV Rheinland PTL is the leading provider of safety testing, performance testing and market certification for the photovoltaic marketplace.
The town will use the block grant over the next three years. Staff is seeking permission to put a proposal together for a solar demonstration project at the wastewater treatment plant to use the $91,307.24.
To complement that, he said, the town is applying for a free 10 kilovolt solar panel worth $50,000 from TUV Rheinland PTL, and $25,000-$40,000 in rebates from APS. The town will use this total package to help reduce its $7,000 a month electric bill at the wastewater treatment plant.
Holmes said the town will work with Yavapai College on the project. Hopefully, this will attract more students to YC's solar curriculum, he said.
In November, he said the town can apply for the second round of EEC block grant money. If this application is successful, the town can enlarge the size of the solar project at the wastewater treatment plant.
The council then, on a 7-0 vote, authorized Holmes to apply for a request for information proposal.
In other action, the council:
• Amended the town code to cancel the second meetings of November and December each year.
• Approved transferring $1,000 from the town manager's office general supplies line to the mayor/council travel line for 2009-2010 so Mayor Jim Bunker can attend the Arizona Town Hall meeting at the Grand Canyon, and provide travel money for the council.
• Approved the extension of the ending date of July 30 to Dec. 31 on the non-binding letter of intent between Enxco and the town.
• Approved amending the Animal Sheltering Service agreement between the town and Yavapai County Humane Society to specify a starting date of Oct. 12, and letting YHS deduct a $1 service fee from each Town of Chino Valley dog license.
• Approved Faye Guest's request for a person transfer of a Series 6 (bar) liquor license for Doreen's Backstreet Bar & Grill at 2879 N. Arizona Trail.
• Authorized the town to buy and equip a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria police unit from Five Star Ford for less than $35,000.
