Date: December 22, 2009

Press Release

Cincinnati, OH- Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) has been awarded $775,665 for the installation of a 280 kilowatt photovoltaic solar array rooftop system at its Chester Park Place facility on Spring Gove Avenue. This system will compliment the solar panel energy system currently in place, creating one of the largest solar projects in Hamilton County.

The energy awards, given by the Ohio Department of Development, are the first to be awarded from Ohio’s $96 million State Energy Program.

”This is a tremendous opportunity for GCWW and the greater Cincinnati community,” says David Rager, director of GCWW. “By installing the second set of solar panels, we expect to lower the annual electricity usage at our Spring Grove facility by 12 percent which, in turn, will lower our operating costs and reduce our carbon footprint.”

The new solar energy system will consist of 1,188 solar panels which have a lifetime expectancy of 30 years. 

In the spring of 2009, GCWW installed a 40 Kw solar system on the roof of its Spring Grove Avenue facility. At the time, it was the largest solar project in Hamilton County.

GCWW estimates that the combined solar rooftop system will generate about 1200 kWh (kilowatt hours) per day. That’s enough electricity to support nearly 44 homes. The average single family home uses 31.2 kWh a day.

“Implementing energy efficient practices into our everyday operations is a priority for GCWW,” says Rager.

The solar panels, to be installed by Ohio-based Third Sun Solar & Wind, Ltd, are expected to be operational by the summer of 2010.

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Contact: Michele Todd Ralston

Greater Cincinnati Water Works

(513) 591-7972

Michele.ralston@gcww.cincinnati-oh.gov