Contract awarded for solar energy canopy for city
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
SOMERS POINT — City Council has taken another step toward greater energy independence by awarding a contract for installation of a solar canopy on public property.
The governing body entered into agreement Aug. 20 with National Energy Partners for installation and operation of a ground solar photovoltaic energy system, otherwise known as a solar canopy.
The city began looking at the idea in January, when City Council approved seeking bids for a solar electric canopy system financed through a power purchase agreement.
City Council President Janice Johnston said at the time that the solar farm would be located at the end of Defeo Lane where the city parks some of its municipal vehicles, just across the street from the municipal tennis courts.
City Administrator Jason Frost said the project would be funded through a power purchase agreement in which the contractor would build it, maintain it and insure it.
Councilman Sean McGuigan, who proposed the project, said he learned there is significant savings to be had and was duty-bound to pursue it.
The Ward I representative said the city looked at two options — placing solar panels on the roof of multiple city-owned buildings or erecting one large solar farm on the 3- to 4-acre property where there used to be a sewer plant.
City engineer Greg Schneider said the size of the project would be based on the city’s energy usage. He said National Energy Partners will determine how many panels are necessary and secure approval from the state Board of Public Utilities.
McGuigan said discussion is under way about how much power the meter at the site can handle, noting that may reduce the size of the project.
Schneider said ideally the canopy would be 140 feet by 175 feet.
McGuigan had envisioned powering all city properties with the solar canopy. If that is not possible, he said, the city would look at some roof-top systems to make up the difference.
“This is a no-brainer no matter what the size,” he said. “It is a revenue plus for the city and it’s a step toward more green energy, which is sorely needed as we move forward.”
McGuigan said the Somers Point Green Team has been very involved in the project. The team is active in Sustainable NJ, which rates municipalities based on their level of sustainability.
McGuigan said the city has achieved Sustainable NJ’s bronze level and hopes to get to silver or gold through this project.
He said if all goes as planned, the city would save more than $100,000 in energy costs annually.