Generating nearly 8.1 million kilowatt‑hours per year, the new system strengthens operational reliability and will save the City over $25 million in electricity costs.
VACAVILLE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, the City of Vacaville held a “Flip the Switch” ceremony to celebrate the energization of a new 5-megawatt DC (MW DC) solar and battery energy storage system at the City of Vacaville’s Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant (EWWTP), marking a major milestone in Vacaville’s commitment to sustainability, operational resilience, and long-term cost savings.
Developed in partnership with ForeFront Power, the project advances Vacaville’s sustainability strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stabilize energy costs, and strengthen reliability at a critical 24/7/365 public facility.
The EWWTP system will generate nearly 8.1 million kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity annually—enough to power the yearly electricity use of more than 1,400 homes. Designed to offset the annual electricity demand at the EWWTP facility, the solar and storage system increases overall energy efficiency while lowering utility bills. Over its 20-year lifespan, the system is projected to save the City more than $25 million in electricity costs.
Powering essential wastewater treatment operations with clean, low-cost solar further reduces carbon emissions and supports better air quality across Solano County. The new solar and energy storage system is expected to help Vacaville avoid approximately 4,500 tons of CO₂ emissions annually—equivalent to taking more than 900 gas-powered passenger vehicles off local roads each year.
“Vacaville’s sustainability goals are about better outcomes for people—healthier air, smarter use of resources, and reliable public services,” said Vacaville Mayor John Carli. “By pairing solar with smart battery storage at an industrial facility that treats an average of 7.5 million gallons of wastewater daily, this project will help power operations essential to minimizing public health risks and our environmental impact.”
During the day, the solar energy array will provide power to electrical loads—including large motors, equipment, HVAC, security systems, and IT—while the battery storage banks excess energy produced during extended sunshine. Stored energy can be dispatched at night, on cloudy days, or whenever facility demand exceeds solar production, ensuring consistent, cost-effective power for essential services. The EWWTP’s energy‑intensive operations can now draw on smart battery reserves to avoid paying utility peak rates, cutting local energy costs while easing strain on California’s grid.
“We applaud the City of Vacaville for its leadership in deploying clean, renewable energy at a mission-critical facility,” said Ruben R. Fontes, CEO of ForeFront Power. “The Easterly WWTP now benefits from solar energy generation paired with intelligent storage—producing power when it’s abundant and dispatching it when it matters most—supporting local public health and community resilience for decades to come.”
The EWWTP solar and storage system was developed through a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between the City and ForeFront Power. Under the terms of the PPA, ForeFront Power owns and maintains the system, while the City purchases the electricity at a fixed, lower rate than the utility, ensuring long-term budget predictability and protection from rate increases. ForeFront Power will continue to operate and maintain the system for the duration of the PPA at no cost to the City.
This project supports the City’s broader sustainability initiatives, including the Energy and Conservation Action Strategy (ECAS), a long‑range plan to reduce carbon emissions and conserve resources. ECAS calls for community‑wide measures that boost energy independence, curtail utility spending, and improve air quality through reduced emissions from municipal facilities. The EWWTP solar and storage system advances these goals and complements the City’s ongoing Sustainable Energy Project, which focuses on deploying solar across multiple facilities, enhancing backup power at critical sites, and delivering long‑term taxpayer savings.
View the press package online to access high-resolution images and video.
About City of Vacaville
The City of Vacaville is a municipal government serving a community in Solano County, California, located along the Interstate 80 corridor between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. Incorporated in 1892, Vacaville provides essential public services—including Police, Fire, Public Works, Utilities, Parks & Recreation, and Community Development—to support a safe, vibrant, and fiscally responsible city. With a population of approximately 103,000 across roughly 27 square miles, Vacaville focuses on quality of life, economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and transparent, community‑oriented governance.
About ForeFront Power
ForeFront Power is a leading provider of energy solutions and advisory services. This includes commercial and industrial-scale (C&I) solar energy and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as fleet electrification and asset management services. With over 15 years of experience, the ForeFront Power team has developed more than 1,900 behind-the-meter and community solar projects, totaling more than 1.6 gigawatt-DC of renewable electricity. In addition to project development and asset management, ForeFront Power provides strategic advisory services that help organizations navigate complex energy decisions—from sustainability and procurement planning to renewable project implementation. The company serves a wide array of business, government, education, healthcare, and community solar customers from its San Francisco headquarters and through teams based in New York, Mexico City, and across the U.S. For additional information, please visit www.forefrontpower.com.
Contacts
City of Vacaville Contact:
Joanna Leal
Public Relations Manager
707-449-5106
[email protected]
ForeFront Power Contact:
James Cortese
Gryphon Agency for ForeFront Power
[email protected]
