City of Marquette’s latest solar project nears completion
The city of Marquette’s latest solar project is nearing completion. Dubuque-based Eagle Point Solar has been working for several weeks to install ground arrays along U.S. Highway 18, near the “Welcome to Marquette” sign, that will power the city’s sewer plant. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
The city council approved the $300,000 project in April following six months of discussion. While members were supportive of solar powering the site, the biggest hold-up was concern over the location of the ground arrays, which are built into Iowa DOT hillside property between U.S. Highway 18 and the sewer plant. Some didn’t like the idea of the panels being so visible to visitors entering town from the west.
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
The city of Marquette’s latest solar project is nearing completion. Dubuque-based Eagle Point Solar has been working for several weeks to install ground arrays along U.S. Highway 18, near the “Welcome to Marquette” sign, that will power the city’s sewer plant.
The city council approved the $300,000 project in April following six months of discussion. While members were supportive of solar powering the site, the biggest hold-up was concern over the location of the ground arrays, which are built into Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) hillside property between U.S. Highway 18 and the sewer plant. Some didn’t like the idea of the panels being so visible to visitors entering town from the west.
But now that people can physically see the placement of the arrays, “I don’t think they’re nearly as obtrusive as people thought,” said mayor Steve Weipert. “Hopefully they can start generating power soon.”
The sewer plant project marks Marquette’s fourth solar venture. Installations have already been completed at well number four in the Timber Ridge Subdivision, on the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre and on the city shop/police station, with discernible success.
According to Eagle Point Solar, the sewer plant system would offset 72 percent of the energy consumption at the site annually, saving an estimated $25,626 in electric bills in the first year alone. Over 25 years, annual utility savings are anticipated to average $42,169, for a total utility savings of $1,054,225.
For council members, those cost savings were one of the deciding factors in approving the project. The sewer plant was running in the red, and the city had to either cut operating expenses or raise rates.
There will also be a considerable environmental impact. Over the 40-year life of the system, 3,638 tons of carbon dioxide will be eliminated from Marquette’s footprint. That’s the equivalent of planting 84,765 trees, recycling 11,496 tons of waste, displacing CO2 emissions from the annual electric use of 412 homes and preventing 1,772.5 tons of coal from being burned.
This commitment to renewable energy sets Marquette apart, said councilman Dave Schneider.
“We’re trying to be forward thinking,” he shared. “We’re still trying to honor the past, but thinking of the future of the city.”
