Pa. solar project powers water treatment

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POTTSVILLE, Pa., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Renewables company Conergy announced it commissioned a 1.8 megawatt solar energy system that will power a water treatment plant in Pennsylvania.

The Aqua Pickering Solar Farm is situated on a 6.5-acre water treatment facility and becomes the eighth largest solar farm in the state.

Conergy said the project is producing enough power to treat and transport water to 27 municipalities in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The project was backed by a $1.5 million grant distributed by the state and supported by federal stimulus dollars.

The company, whose parent has headquarters in Germany, said the solar installation offsets the burning of more than 4,000 barrels of oil per year. The water treatment facility services 500,000 residents.

The project is near the primary coal region in the state.