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St. C. to consider solar farm

ST. CLAIRSVILLE –The city is considering a solar farm for a potential savings in power costs.

Vince Findley, representing American Electric Power which provides electricity for residents, made a presentation Monday.

“We’ve been working with the city for many years now to provide long term stable rates, and we occasionally have the opportunity to bring in something we think our customer base will appreciate, and also help them with their long-term rates,” he said.

He said a hypothetical project would cover about five acres in St. Clairsville and generate two megawatts of power. It would represent a $2.5 million investment by AEP, and a 30-year fixed-price power purchase agreement with the city.

“It provides some direct benefits. Because it falls behind…where you interconnect with the transmission system that delivers power to the city, anything that you self-generate will reduce the cost of what you have to buy from the wholesale markets,” he said. “Also, it provides solar renewable energy credits.”

Findley said the city could potentially save $2.5 million to $3 million during the 30-year period.

“You only pay the megawatt hours that the unit produces,” he said.

If an accident or storm renders some panels inoperable, AEP would be motivated to repair them quickly.

The city would provide the land and $10,000 to $11,000 yearly in property taxes. AEP and the city would work together to identify likely plots of land.

He said a solar farm could produce an average of five percent of the city’s needs.

The next step would be a letter of intent from the city. If that happens soon, Findley said the project could be completed by next summer.

Councilman Perry Basile asked if the amount of energy added to the system would be offset by the tax incentives, or if it would be a “wash.”

Findley said the tax benefit would help lower the price of every megawatt hour supplied.

“The tax benefit might reduce the price by $10, $15, $20 per unit, but that doesn’t affect the amount of energy frankly that is being generated by the project,” Findley said.

In terms of reduction of rates for residents, Findley said that would depend on how much savings the city decides to pass on to the public or if there are other projects the city could build up funding for.

In answer to questions from council members Beth Oprisch and Mike Smith, Findley said there are several other municipalities in Ohio with similar arrays. AEP would sign a 30-year easement for the land.

“I think the idea of solar is a great idea,” planning and zoning director Tom Murphy said. “Especially if the city gets some benefit out of it, and it sounds like we would.”

Director of General Services Don Smithberger will further consult with AEP.

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