City's solar installations first to use private-public financing mechanism

Enfinity America Corp. of Atlanta said last week it completed 10 solar installations for the City of Reno.

The installations were financed by Enfinity through a 20-year agreement with the city.

Enfinity paid the up-front costs of constructing a solar energy system, and the city contracted to purchase the electricity at a lower rate than it can buy electricity from NV Energy.

The deal is expected to save the city between $1.6 million and $3 million. The city government will receive 15 to 18 percent of its electric needs from solar installations.

The city also used $4.1 million in rebates from NV Energy and its Solar Generations program as well as federal tax incentives.

The solar program came to fruition through collaboration between Nevada Solar Works LLC (comprising Q&D Construction, CleanPath Renewables and Reliant Electric), the City of Reno and Enfinity. Construction services were provided by Swinerton Renewable Energy.

The installations are located at the Reno-Stead Wastewater Plant, the Public Works Corporation Yard, the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center, Reno Fire Station 3 on Moana Lane, Reno Fire Station 10 on North Virginia Street, Reno Fire Station 11 on Mae Anne Avenue, the Neil Road complex, Mira Loma Park, and the Rosewood Lakes Golf Course.

The system includes 5,016 panels.

The city's projects were the first to be undertaken under a 2009 state law that allows for third-party ownership of renewable energy generation systems.