Monday, July 19, 2010

NM Village Getting Solar Backup for Water Tanks

The central New Mexico village of Corrales is getting a $1.3 million federal loan to build a solar system that will provide backup electricity to pump water from the village's storage tanks to fire trucks.

The village near Albuquerque lacks a system to supply water to fire hydrants, so the Corrales Fire Department depends on a series of water tanks with electrical pumps to fill fire trucks.

Placing solar units at each tank will provide electrical backup in the event of a village-wide or wider power failure.

Officials say the solar units also will guarantee backup power for critical government administration, police and fire communications.

The loan comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program.

SOURCE

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