The Apache Junction Sewer District Board recently voted to purchase and install solar panels and equipment to generate its own power and offset approximately 35% to 40% of energy consumption at the water treatment facility.

The full cost is more than $1.4 million with a 30% federal rebate leaving an $800,000 cost for the district.

A total of $79,400 is to be saved annually with the solar-power system with the district paying off the cost at the end of the 10th year.

“The average annual savings ... is over $79,000 — that will be off of our SRP bill. So in year 11 we will have paid off — or paid back — the initial investment,” District Manager Darron Anglin said at the board’s Aug. 26 meeting.

Assuming a 2% SRP annual rate increase and maintenance costs on the equipment, in the 30-year l

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