A Western Massachusetts wastewater treatment plant will soon shift its power reliance to a nearly completed 1.5-megawatt solar energy project, according to the Berkshire Eagle.

Completion of the $8 million project at Pittsfield's 50-year-old plant is projected to be within 60 days, at which point Western Massachusetts Electric Company no longer will power the sewer plant, according to Bruce Collingwood, Public Works and Utilities commissioner.

"The installation is going nice and smooth so a February completion looks good," Collingwood told the publication.

One Pittsfield official who also chairs the city's Green Commission said the use of renewable energy will save taxpayers a significant amount of money. He said the plant will be propelled into serving as model that other cities can emulate.

"Saving $200,000 is an indication of what we can do with green energy," Ward 6 Councilor John M. Krol Jr. told the publication. "We've made a point of being a leading green community."

Excess energy generated by the photovoltaic spread will be sold to the utility.