Politics & Government
Council to Vote on Solar Panel Project
Borough Council weighs the pros and cons of constructing a solar panel on top of the Chestnut Street Garage.
A divided borough council discussed a proposal to build a solar panel on top of the Chestnut Street Garage on Tuesday. Council was considering a recommendation from the finance committee to reject the project.
“If it’ll cost us $4,000 per year at first, I will forfeit my pay,” said Council President Holly Brown. “This is an investment in the future we need to make.”
Not every member of council was as enthusiastic as Brown. Council member Susan Bayne said that she liked the idea of the project, but she thought that now isn’t the right time.
“This project is going to cost $500,000,” Bayne said. “The grant only covers $124,000. The borough would have to pay the difference.”
In order to pay that difference the borough would have to take out a 30-year bond to cover the cost of construction.
Proponents of the project argue that the savings from the solar panel will more than cover the costs associated with the construction and the debt service.
“The borough would own it, and there would be profits from selling credits,” said Sean Diamond, who works for MainLine Solar. MainLine Solar put in a bid to build this project, but did not win.
“The borough could save over $348,000 over the life of the project,” Diamond said. “I don’t think you’ll get a better deal. You’ll get 25 years of guaranteed savings.”
Most of that savings will come from profits generated by selling solar renewable energy certificates. These certificates currently have a market value in Pennsylvania of around $180.
Basically, the state has a legislated mandate that a certain percentage of energy generated by power suppliers comes from renewable resources like solar.
In order to meet these mandates, power companies will purchase energy generated by privately owned solar panels.
If West Chester built a solar panel, they could sell the energy to a power supplier and generate an income.
“The benefits of this project outweigh the risks,” said Courtney Finneran, a supporter of the project. “It generates savings and pays for itself.”
Despite its potential, members of council felt that it just wasn’t the right time to proceed with the project.
“There isn’t one of us who thinks it’s a bad idea,” said council member Cassandra Jones. “It’s just a question of timing.”
Council will discuss the project and take a vote on it at Wednesday’s council meeting.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
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