Ameresco Case Studies City of Alton and Ameresco's Partnership for a 5MW Solar Project

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	City of Alton and Ameresco's Partnership for a 5MW Solar Project Ameresco

City of Alton and Ameresco's Partnership for a 5MW Solar Project

Ameresco

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM) Sensors - Utility Meters
Applicable Industries	Cities & Municipalities Renewable Energy
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Asset Health Management (AHM) Smart City Operations
Services	System Integration
Challenge	The City of Alton, Illinois, was facing the challenge of reducing its carbon footprint and generating revenue while making use of a local closed municipal landfill site. The city was also grappling with the effects of global warming, including increased flooding, and was seeking ways to contribute to the solution on a local level. The city aimed to create local jobs, increase property tax revenue, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the city was striving to meet the clean energy transition goals laid out in the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which sets a target for Illinois to reach 40% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2040. Read More
About Customer	The City of Alton, Illinois, founded in 1837, is a community rich in history and character. Located on the Mississippi River 25 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, the City boasts beautiful parks, a wonderful school district, tourist attractions, and community events to interest everyone. Alton’s charm and diverse resources make it a great place to live, work, and play. The City’s 28,000 residents benefit from a cost of living below the national average and the protection of the Alton Police and Fire Departments. The city is committed to sustainable solutions and is working in coordination with the Alton Cool Cities Committee to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to the fight against global warming. Read More
Solution	Ameresco, Inc., a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, partnered with the City of Alton to develop and install a 5 megawatt AC (MWAC)/7 megawatt DC (MWDC) solar array on the local closed municipal landfill site. The solar installation is designed to deliver approximately $1 million in revenue to the City of Alton and surrounding local businesses over its lifespan. The renewable energy generated from the site will help offset greenhouse gas emissions from conventional utility generation. In addition to the solar array, Ameresco and the City of Alton plan to install a self-guided, instructional display near the array to educate visitors about the project and the benefits of clean energy. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2023 and reach completion by the end of the year. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Enterprise Asset Management Systems (EAM)

Sensors - Utility Meters

Applicable Industries

Cities & Municipalities

Renewable Energy

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Asset Health Management (AHM)

Smart City Operations

Services

System Integration

Challenge

The City of Alton, Illinois, was facing the challenge of reducing its carbon footprint and generating revenue while making use of a local closed municipal landfill site. The city was also grappling with the effects of global warming, including increased flooding, and was seeking ways to contribute to the solution on a local level. The city aimed to create local jobs, increase property tax revenue, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the city was striving to meet the clean energy transition goals laid out in the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which sets a target for Illinois to reach 40% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

About Customer

The City of Alton, Illinois, founded in 1837, is a community rich in history and character. Located on the Mississippi River 25 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, the City boasts beautiful parks, a wonderful school district, tourist attractions, and community events to interest everyone. Alton’s charm and diverse resources make it a great place to live, work, and play. The City’s 28,000 residents benefit from a cost of living below the national average and the protection of the Alton Police and Fire Departments. The city is committed to sustainable solutions and is working in coordination with the Alton Cool Cities Committee to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to the fight against global warming.

Solution

Ameresco, Inc., a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, partnered with the City of Alton to develop and install a 5 megawatt AC (MWAC)/7 megawatt DC (MWDC) solar array on the local closed municipal landfill site. The solar installation is designed to deliver approximately $1 million in revenue to the City of Alton and surrounding local businesses over its lifespan. The renewable energy generated from the site will help offset greenhouse gas emissions from conventional utility generation. In addition to the solar array, Ameresco and the City of Alton plan to install a self-guided, instructional display near the array to educate visitors about the project and the benefits of clean energy. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2023 and reach completion by the end of the year.

Impact #1	The partnership between the City of Alton and Ameresco represents a significant step forward for the city in its progress toward sustainable solutions. The solar installation not only provides a beneficial use for a previously unusable brownfield site but also contributes to local job creation and increased property tax revenue. The project is expected to make a meaningful progress toward meeting the city’s clean energy goals and the targets set by the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Additionally, the self-guided, instructional display near the array will serve as an educational tool for visitors, raising awareness about the project and the associated benefits of clean energy.

Impact #1

The partnership between the City of Alton and Ameresco represents a significant step forward for the city in its progress toward sustainable solutions. The solar installation not only provides a beneficial use for a previously unusable brownfield site but also contributes to local job creation and increased property tax revenue. The project is expected to make a meaningful progress toward meeting the city’s clean energy goals and the targets set by the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Additionally, the self-guided, instructional display near the array will serve as an educational tool for visitors, raising awareness about the project and the associated benefits of clean energy.

Benefit #1	Approximately $1 million in revenue to the City of Alton and surrounding local businesses over the life of the project
Benefit #2	Expected to generate approximately 10,000 MWh of electricity in the first year alone, reducing the city’s carbon footprint by over 7,000 tons
Benefit #3	Over the 30-year lifespan of the solar array, this equates to about 278,000 MWh of energy generation and 197,000 metric tons of carbon emission reduction

Benefit #1

Approximately $1 million in revenue to the City of Alton and surrounding local businesses over the life of the project

Benefit #2

Expected to generate approximately 10,000 MWh of electricity in the first year alone, reducing the city’s carbon footprint by over 7,000 tons

Benefit #3

Over the 30-year lifespan of the solar array, this equates to about 278,000 MWh of energy generation and 197,000 metric tons of carbon emission reduction

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Overview

City of Alton and Ameresco's Partnership for a 5MW Solar Project

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit