Tomorrow Water to Provide Wastewater Treatment System for US’ Largest Solar Production Unit

Tomorrow Water to Provide Wastewater Treatment System for US' Largest Solar Production Unit

California-based Tomorrow Water, a global environmental solutions provider, has been selected to design and deliver a wastewater treatment solution. The solution keeps compliance with the regions’ Publicly Owned Treatment Works pretreatment permit limits.

Tomorrow Water met the requirements with its capability to provide a cost-effective solution promising a very aggressive turnaround schedule. The contract entails a progressive system design, equipment supply, commissioning. There is potential also for long term operations and maintenance following commissioning.

The unit where the wastewater solution will be set up is owned by among the world’s largest and most recognized photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers. Not only will this be the third US manufacturing facility for the firm, but also the largest solar panel production plant in the US. President Biden has called it “the largest solar investment in US history”

EF Kim, CEO of Tomorrow Water said, “We are proud to support this global provider of premium solar cells and modules who is also known as a sustainability leader in the manufacturing sector. We are proud to support a top global ESG solutions company.” He further added, “We see an increasing number of similar companies establishing and expanding manufacturing capacity in the US, and we earn their trust due to our deep knowledge of the client needs, proven portfolio of treatment technologies, and knowledge of US/local rules and regulations.”

Anthony Dusovic, President of Tomorrow Water noted, “We are humbled to have earned the trust of the Contractor, Engineer and Owner. As the demand for their green energy products continues to grow this client demands strict environmental compliance for their production wastewater streams in keeping with their core values. I am particularly proud of the work done by our “Industrial Solutions” team in developing partnerships with clients for the life of their facility, integrating technology solutions, O&M services and tailor-made financial solutions to best solve their challenges.”

Why is Clean Water Essential in Solar Industry

High amounts of water are needed the solar industry for production and manufacturing purposes.

Hard water, which may contain high quantum of dissolved minerals, has a tendency to leave behind a residue on the glass. This may cause damage to the glass due to the stains or scaling on it. Consequently, this impacts negatively the amount of sunlight passing through it. Hard water used to clean solar panels has high chances of causing calcium or limestone buildup leading to scaling of solar panels. Scaling can bring down the output and capacity of solar panels, reverse the polarity while also creating hot spots. Thus, the importance of good quality water cannot be undermined in creating high quality solar modules/ panels boasting high efficiency levels.

The water being used to clean the surface must not contain any grit or physical contaminants that may cause damage to the panel. Employing deionized, or reverse osmosis and natural pH water for the prevention of mineral deposits is suggested for use instead.

In case RO water is unavailable, rainwater or tap water may be used but it should be low on mineral content whereas the total hardness less than 75mg/L must be ensured.

Among the largest water treatment firms headquartered in the US include Evoqua, Ecolab, DuPont.

At the same time, the wastewater emanated from the solar industry discharge industrial effluents with various kinds of pollutants like hydrogen fluorides, suspended solids, mixed acids, SiO2, and high oxide particles. Interestingly, the hydrofluoric acid- one of the discharged components, is used in PV manufacturing for both quartz cleaning and wafer etching. Wastewater from the PV industry also had high levels of fluoride, generally ranging from 500–2,000 mg/L. These are toxic in nature and call for regulation.