Sandusky County Planning to Go Green with Solar Power Installation

The Commissioners of Sandusky County are studying a renewable energy proposal submitted by Dovetail Solar and Wind of Athens to construct solar power installations outside the county offices located on Countryside Drive.

The Toledo based companies have submitted a proposal to cover the parking lot area of 260 feet x 50 feet located at 2020 Countryside Drive with solar panels capable of producing around 67 kW solar power. The total cost of the installation will be met from state and federal grants and available tax credits for renewable energy installations. The county instead of making the investment itself is planning to have a 10 year power purchase agreement with a private company that is willing to invest in the proposed installation. Such an arrangement will allow the county to save between $15,000 and $28,000 during the initial 10 years. If the county plans to continue the contract beyond 10 years then the savings will grow between $19,000 and $48,000. The current agreement provides the county an option to buy back the installed system at a fair market value on expiry of the first 10 year contract term.

The planned solar installation will generate a total power of around 6,449 kWh every month meeting nearly 26% power usage requirements of the building. According to an available solar data of the location, the system will produce a total output of 77,389 kWh annually. The county by opting for green energy installation will be in a position to use it as a pilot project to demonstrate green solar energy.