City of Deming and Its Residents benefit from Solar Power

DEMING, N.M., July 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Deming has worked with Affordable Solar to complete three solar system installations that now deliver electric power to the City's Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Bilbo Well and Booster Stations which are part of the City's water system.  These solar projects are a great example of a public-private partnership that benefits the City, its residents, and involved businesses.

"We are excited to be a participant in this renewable energy project. It not only helps the City water and wastewater facilities stabilize their energy costs over the next 20 years, but it furthers the City's greener approach to the environment," said Mayor Andres Z Silva.

The City of Deming did not have to fund the construction of the solar projects.  Rather, the City committed to purchasing solar generated electricity at a fixed price for the next 25 years.  This power purchase agreement (commonly referred to as a "PPA") is expected to save the City approximately about one million dollars over the contract term and will provide a hedge against volatility in electricity costs over the coming decades.  These savings and better control of electricity costs will translate into better control of water rates for the residents of City of Deming. 

Combined, the three solar systems installed by Affordable Solar utilize close to 3000 solar panels to locally generate approximately 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity per year.  In comparison, this is enough energy to power approximately 160 average homes.

"Affordable Solar had the pleasure of working with the City of Deming administration and water utility staff to help the City achieve this milestone," said Ryan Centerwall, General Manager of Affordable Solar.  "We commend the City's commitment to reduce utility costs for its residents."

The solar system components utilized by Affordable Solar to complete the three projects include utility-grade solar panels manufactured by Trina Solar. The solar panels are secured on the ground using a solar mounting system made by UNIRAC, an Albuquerque, New Mexico, based manufacturer.  The solar panels generate clean, direct current (DC) electricity from sunlight and feed it to high quality inverters manufactured by SMA and Advanced Energy.   The inverters converter DC electricity from the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity that is utilized by the City's water facilities.  The facilities remain connected to the utility grid which provides the balance of electricity needed by them.

About The City of Deming:

Deming is located in the Southwestern part of New Mexico, 33 miles North of the Mexico border, a land of an ever present sun and flowing desert rocks and cacti. Deming has been named a "Rock-Hunters Paradise."  The history of the area dates back nearly 1,000 years ago, when the Mimbres Indians, the first people known to inhabit the area, lived in villages along the Mimbres River and farmed the area.  The pictures of daily life they painted inside their pottery reflect their gifted creativity and unsurpassed skill in reproducing likeness of animals and birds. Known throughout the world, some beautiful samples of the magnificent Mimbres Pottery are on display in the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum.  It was about 1800 that the Americans entered Southwest New Mexico.  Deming was founded in November, 1881, and is the county seat of Luna County. Named for Mary Deming Crocker, wife of a railroad magnate of the Southern Pacific Railway system the town was the result of railroad expansion to the West.   Deming's industry and farming grew and its population increased to its present day size of 14,116 (Census Bureau 2000) and Luna County's population consists of approximately 25,000 people of mixed nationalities. Deming has grown 20% and Luna County has grown 38% since the 1990 Census. Today Deming is a full service community with low cost of living, affordable taxes, taxi service, municipal airport, hospital/ambulance service, nursing home, senior citizens center, library, over 40 churches, over 80 listed organizations, 18 hole golf course, civic center, public auditorium, schools and a community college.

About Affordable Solar:

Affordable Solar, an Albuquerque, New Mexico based company, provides solar project design, project development, construction, and national product distribution. Since 1998, Affordable Solar has supplied over 14,000 PV systems to commercial, industrial, scientific, community, and residential customers in 96 countries.  As an EPC provider, Affordable Solar is able to design and install any size turnkey solar system. We have experience working with business and government agencies and understand the complexities involved with intricate project sites such as airports, landfills, water treatment plants, public parking areas, etc. We ensure a reliable process from planning through engineering, construction and engineering.  Affordable Solar has been awarded by the United States Government General Service Administration a Multiple Award Schedule 56, Building and Building Materials/Industrial Services and Supplies.

For more information, please contact:
Nick Babic
Affordable Solar
4840 Pan American East FWY NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
[email protected]
505.944.4231

SOURCE Affordable Solar