Solar Panels to Light Up Municipal Building
Installation is under way at the Chews Landing Road facility.
Photos
It should only be a few more weeks before the municipal building is getting its energy directly from that bright yellow ball in the sky.
The installation of solar panels on the roof of the Chews Landing Road municipal building recently got under way.
"I think we're definitely at the forefront on this. It's always great to be the leader," Councilwoman Michelle Gentek said.
Not only are solar panels a part of the so-called "green" movement, government officials point to the savings the solar energy will bring the township.
"It's part of our continuing effort to reduce costs in municipal government," Mayor David Mayer said.
One estimate shows the township will save $4,900 per year by going to solar energy at the municipal building.
But that's not where the real financial benefit comes in to play for the township and its residents.
"The exciting part is this is going to generate money," Gentek said.
The township can sell energy credits, known as Solar Renewable Energy Credits, as a result of installing solar panels on the municipal building's roof.
At the current rate of $630 per credit, the township stands to make $25,800 per year, according to Township Engineer John Cantwell, of Remington & Vernick.
The total cost of the solar-panel project is about $238,000. A federal grant for $211,000, part of the economic stimulus package money that made its way to New Jersey, will cover the majority of the project's cost.
Mayer noted officials are not stopping at solar panels when it comes to their effort to maximize energy use and cut energy costs.
An audit of six township-owned buildings, including the municipal building, generated more efficient ways to use lighting and windows.
Also, the township has installed energy-efficent, longer-lasting LED bulbs in traffic lights and is in the process of developing an energy master plan—similar to the tool communities use to guide future development—as part of the Sustainable Jersey program.
GTNowBlog
6:31 pm on Wednesday, December 29, 2010
This "green" project cost taxpayers $238,000.00 and will result in a savings of $4,900.00. Basic math, not "new math" shows that it will take 48.57 years to break even. My youngest child will be 60 years old when we as taxpayers start seeing any real savings. The Cap and Trade tactic of selling credits is risky and will not last the 48.57 years that we the taxpayers will be paying for this boondoggle. Maybe the mayor and council will take some of the "savings" and televise municipal meetings so everyone can see how their tax dollars are being spent.
Leigh
7:43 pm on Wednesday, December 29, 2010
$4,900 + $25,800 = $30,700 per year savings
Both old math and new math suggest it will take less than 10 years to pay off the project. About eight years to be more precise.
You're predicting the tax credits will go away. Government officials are predicting they won't. Time will tell. If the township doesn't sell $25,800 or more in tax credits annually as a result of the solar project, then criticize them. Why criticize them for trying? Do you work for Atlantic City Electric or something?
Michelle Wolfson
12:45 am on Friday, April 15, 2011
Actually, if you read through the article and then do the math, a federal energy grant is paying for $211,000 of the $238,000 cost. This leaves a mere $27,000 to be paid by the township. Selling energy credits at the current rate, it will take just over one year to break even.
Joshua Berry
8:44 am on Friday, April 15, 2011
Energy audits and becoming more energy efficient are a municipal "best practice" as defined by the Citizens Campaign and should be applauded. Nice work Mayor Mayer and Council. These small to medium efforts combined will bring about long-term cost savings to the people of our town.
I look forward to working with you on implementing all of the other best practices.
GTNowBlog
3:48 pm on Saturday, April 16, 2011
@Michelle and Leigh: Government officials being correct are never a good barometer of success and if you believe that government is the solution you will be very disappointed. How are Social Security and the NJ Pension system working out for you?
Please keep in mind that the federal grant was part of the Obama administration’s stimulus that most experts say has not stimulated the economy and has added trillions to our children’s future debt. I hope that the town can realize a true savings any way possible but spending a quarter of a million taxpayer dollars to save $4900.00 is specious at best. The all-important energy credits are valued at $630.00 but with others funneling energy now that price will fall sharply. It is supply and demand and an uncontroverted reality.
Further, the $630.00 figure is from the Mayer administration and not based on empirical data. Many experts deride the green initiatives and believe that they are simply feel good measures that will never realize a true savings based upon the cost. Only time will tell but unfortunately it will be our children that pay the price of this irrational agenda.
Cutting the size of government, shared services, pension reform and lower taxes are how we will save money and make our government more efficient. Before we spend dollars to save cents it would be prudent to look at more traditional means of savings.