# Mayor Nutter Opens City’s First Solar PV Installation

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/06/mayor-nutter-opens-citys-first-solar-pv-installation/
- Published: 2011-06-04T02:52:36-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Mayor Michael A. Nutter, local and federal officials celebrated the completion of
a new solar PV installation, the first owned by the City of Philadelphia, at the
Philadelphia Water Department’s (PWD) Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant. The
PWD installed a 250kW solar photovoltaic system, which was completed as a result
of Philadelphia’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Solar America
Cities program. The solar array, which produces enough energy to power 28 homes 
each year, also contributes to a goal of the Greenworks Philadelphia [sustainability plan](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/09/healthy-hair-natural-alternatives-for-photo-ready-tresses/),
to purchase or generate 20 percent of electricity used in the city from alternative
energy sources by 2015.

“Producing solar energy at this City-owned water treatment plant reduces our greenhouse
gas emissions, creates new jobs, and lowers our electricity bill. This is a smart
investment that will help the city reach the goals set in Greenworks Philadelphia,”
said Mayor Nutter. “I would like to thank the U.S. Department of Energy for helping
Philadelphia to invest in renewable energies and to build upon our momentum to become
the greenest city in America.”

“Philadelphia’s leadership in deploying solar energy highlights the important role
local communities can play in expanding the U.S. solar industry and bringing more
renewable energy online,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “This new solar
energy installation will serve as a model for how cities across the country can 
partner with the federal government and the private sector to develop new sources
of clean energy.”

The system at the PWD’s Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant is ground mounted
and covers more than an acre of previously unused land. The treatment plant will
use all of the solar power generated on-site, and PWD owns the Solar Renewable Energy
Credits. The project was made possible by $850,000 from the City’s Energy Efficiency
and Conservation Block Grant from the DOE and $850,000 from the PWD and technical
assistance from DOE’s Solar America Cities program. The PWD, the Mayor’s Office 
of Transportation and Utilities and the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability were instrumental
in identifying the site and acquiring funding for the project.

“By installing one of the first large-scale solar projects in Philadelphia, the 
City is demonstrating that alternative generation is both feasible and beneficial,”
said Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities Rina Cutler.

Commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department Howard Neukrug added, “Water treatment
uses large amounts of electricity. PWD is proud to use clean, sustainable power 
generated on-site. Because this project was so successful, we’re planning to replicate
it at other treatment plants.”

**_Source: City of Philidelphia Office of Sustainability_**

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)