On a cold, dark evening in early February, members of the Parma Town Board learned more about how the sun can help the town cut energy costs.
Chad Laurent, senior consultant and general counsel for NY-Sun PV Trainers Network and Emily Chessin, a consultant for Meister Consultants Group, gave a virtual presentation on Solar PV Feasibility for the Town of Parma on Tuesday, Februgary 3.
“I attended a solar energy seminar in November, about the potential for towns like Parma,” Supervisor Jim Smith said prior to the presentation. He noted municipalities are now turning to solar energy to power municipal buildings by constructing solar farms.
During the presentation, Emily Chessin said now is a good time for Parma to consider going solar due to, “… high energy costs, the falling cost of solar technology, favorable regulations and aggressive incentives.”
She noted Solar PV costs dropped 47 percent between 2010 and 2014 – from $7/watt to less than $4/watt.
Chessin also explained that if Parma decides to go solar, it could send extra electricity not being used onsite back in to the electric grid in exchange for credits on the town’s utility bill. Those credits, “… can be used to offset future electricity demand,” she said.
A municipality typically partners with a third party to construct and operate a solar farm. The town and developer set up a, “… power purchase agreement,” Chessin said. “The town purchases electricity from the installer at a pre-determined price … the developer is responsible for operations.”
Chad Laurent of NYSERDA’s NY-Sun PV Trainers Network, said municipalities typically install solar panels on places like roof tops, capped landfills and even brownfields. He also noted there is no reason to wait for newer technology to come along as solar can easily be updated, “You could swap out panels,” Laurent noted, “it’s very modular technology.”
Laurent said the town would see energy payback in two years or less in their investment in solar.
He noted solar power can, “… help to meet municipal renewable energy goals,” with savings of, “… 17 to 30 percent off current electricity rates.”
Laurent said the process of going solar can take six to eight months and that the next step for the town would be to, “… set a realistic timeline based on regulatory requirements.”
Supervisor Jim Smith told the Suburban News/ The Herald, “The town board is very interested and I am planning on working toward getting an RFQ put together.”
The Town of Williamson in Wayne County has a solar array located on the closed Williamson landfill. According to published reports, town officials there estimate a savings of about $1 million over 25 years. Williamson is the first town in New York State to power all town-owned facilities by solar energy. Included is their water plant, wastewater treatment plant, highway garage, and town office complex.
Parma Home Energy Workshop set
The public is invited to a free Home Energy Workshop and Solar (Panel) PV Basics presentation on Wednesday, March 4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Parma Town Hall.
The Pathstone home energy workshop includes program and eligibility information, energy education and application assistance.
Homeowners and landlords will learn how they can qualify for a free or reduced cost energy audit and receive up to $5,000 ($10,000 for landlords) in grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to make energy improvements.
Low interest loans are also available through Pathstone Enterprise Center for any additional improvements.
Also on March 4, NYSERDA’s NY-Sun PV Trainers Network will present a one-hour virtual presentation on solar PV basics including Solar (Panel) PV technology and how it can reduce your electric bill; considerations for installing solar at your home; and state and federal solar PV policies and incentives to help lower home-owner costs.
The presentation will help participants feel more comfortable with solar PV and the process of going solar for their home energy needs.
