Another municipality has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement to reap guaranteed solar power savings as rebates making such proposals more appealing are dwindling.
The Voorheesville Village Board of Trustees approved signing a contract with Monolith Solar to install and maintain photovoltaic panels at two sites during its workshop meeting Wednesday, July 9. There is a contract for each site, with one on the Voorheesville Fire Department’s roof and the other on roof of the village’s Public Works garage.
The 20-year agreement holds a 25 percent discount from the fire department’s electricity usage costs and a 20 percent district for the village’s garage. Through the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Monolith would sell electricity produced on sites to the village at a reduced rate.
There is a 2.25 percent annual increase on the fixed price the village pays Monolith for electricity.
Village Attorney Richard Reilly negotiated extending Monolith’s warranty on the solar panels from six months to one year.
Voorheesville Mayor Robert Conway said a firefighter approached village officials about the possibility of installing solar panels at the department’s building. Monolith previously gave a presentation to village board members about the proposal.
“With no investment on our part, they would be able to reduce energy costs by 20 to 25 percent,” said Conway.
The installation on the firehouse would be a 32,400-watt net metered, roof-mounted system. The system is estimated to produce 36,982 kWh annually, which is more than 100 percent of the building’s historical usage.
The village’s garage will have a 43,200-watt net metered, roof-mounted system. These panels are estimated to produce 51,840 kWh annually, which is more about 125 percent of the building’s historical usage.
Conway said the village did not look into what any other companies providing PPAs would offer, but said Monolith has worked with several municipalities.
Rebates from New York State Energy Research Development Authority for installing solar are continually declining, which has led to a rise in solar companies approaching municipalities. How much a company pays to install the system affects what the municipality is charged for energy.
Monolith Solar also recently approached New Scotland Town Board members about entering into a PPA, which included the possibility of installing solar panels across three town-owned sites.
The Guilderland Town Board in January contracted with Solomon Energy Inc. for consulting services on studying the feasibility of installing a photovoltaic system across town-owned buildings and property.