The Opportunity

In 2008, the City of Gonzales launched a long-term sustainability initiative, Gonzales Grows Green (G3), seeking to improve the economy, environment, and social equity in the entire community. In November 2012, the City launched an energy efficiency and solar power program, marking a significant step toward these G3 efforts.

The Partnership

ENGIE Services worked with the City to define a public-private partnership project that supported its carbon reduction, climate action and resource conservation goals, while achieving reductions in energy and maintenance costs. ENGIE then designed, engineered and constructed the project, which included retrofitting City-owned streetlights, installation of solar power systems at two sites, and upgrades to the City’s water pumping stations. These improvements help conserve electricity and enable the City to control operation of its well pumps from a central location.

Partnering with Constellation Brands, whose Gonzales winery serves as one of two solar installation sites, the City of Gonzales was able to substantially offset electric utility purchases for its adjacent water pumping station. The second solar installation at the City’s wastewater treatment plant provides all of the plant’s current electricity needs.

The solar project was financed by a municipal lease that included construction financing and a customized payment structure that matched the public incentives for solar and avoided utility energy costs associated with the solar energy system — all planned to allow the project to pay for itself.

3 Dimensions of Impact

The City of Gonzales project serves as a model of sustainability for other communities by demonstrating how public and private entities can work together to transform and strengthen community bonds and maintain and enhance municipal services for businesses and residents.

• Supporting People – Contributes to the Gonzales Grows Green initiative and creates a sustainable model for other communities by installing 426 kW of solar power at two sites and showcasing exterior lighting upgrades city-wide.
• Saving Money – The renewable energy project achieves $4.7MM in net savings over 20 years. It also reduces electric utility purchases by 49%.
• Protecting the Environment – The project generates clean electric power and improves operational efficiency, while offsetting greenhouse gas emissions by 324 metric tons, equivalent to the carbon sequestered annually by 974 acres of U.S. forests.