The Santa Fe Irrigation District and San Dieguito Water District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 31 to mark the completion of a new solar project at the R.E. Badger Filtration Treatment Plant in Rancho Santa Fe, expected to produce about 80% of the jointly owned plant’s annual energy needs.
According to a news release, the new solar installation atop the plant’s clearwell structure will generate 574 KW of clean, renewable energy to help power facility operations, reduce long-term electricity costs and lower both districts’ carbon footprint. The project will provide a total benefit of approximately $4 million over the solar panels’ 25-year lifespan.
The Santa Fe Irrigation and San Dieguito Water together own the R.E. Badger Filtration Plant and San Dieguito Dam and Reservoir through a Joint Powers Authority to provide safe and reliable water supplies to their respective customers in Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Old Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff, and portions of New Encinitas.
“This project reflects our dedication to investing in infrastructure that supports both reliability and environmental responsibility,” said Michael T. Hogan, Santa Fe Irrigation District board president in the news release. “By integrating renewable energy into our operations, we’re strengthening the resilience of our water system while reducing costs for the communities we serve. Inflationary pressures, along with the added cost of purchasing more imported water due to our inability to access our local water supply from Lake Hodges are impacting our ratepayers, and we are committed to finding creative solutions to mitigate the impact to our customers.”
The new solar project at the R.E. Badger Filtration Treatment Plant in Rancho Santa Fe, owned by the Santa Fe Irrigation District and San Dieguito Water District. (Courtesy SFID)
Construction on the project was completed in coordination with regional partners TerraVerde Energy and Motive Energy.
“This project reflects our district’s commitment to smart planning, sustainability, and responsible stewardship,” said San Dieguito Water District General Manager Isam Hireish in the news release. “ By transforming unused space into a long-term clean-energy asset, we’re reducing costs, protecting our resources, and investing in a stronger future for our community.”
The new solar project at the R.E. Badger Filtration Treatment Plant in Rancho Santa Fe, owned by the Santa Fe Irrigation District and San Dieguito Water District. (Courtesy SFID)