solar array project proposed for farmington

The City of Farmington’s Public Utility Commission is recommending that members of the Farmington City Council give their approval to the construction of a 1.1-megawatt solar array.

The project, which has been in the talking stage for several months, would go up on a 6-acre site on the south side of the city near the seven hundred block of West Murray Drive and the Bluffview Power Plant.

Although the solar power generation facility, upon completion, would provide only a portion of Farmington’s total energy needs, city officials have said it will be in keeping with Farmington’s goal of having an integrated resource plan.

As currently proposed, the energy from the array would be purchased through subscriptions by Farmington Electric Utility System customers.

The Farmington City Council is expected to make a final decision on the project later this month. If approved, the project will be done in conjunction with Ameresco, Inc., of Phoenix, a company founded in 2000 that specializes in renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions.

By Garry Boulard