Reviewing the savings being realized through the energy efficiency and solar projects Yuba County implemented in 2013, the County is considering a second solar installation. Details on the project shared by Appeal Democrat are below, or you can read the story in full.
Yuba County is moving forward on a second large solar project that would have all county facilities powered by the renewable energy source.
County supervisors later this month are expected to consider a financing plan for the $5.2 million solar project at the county airport. The panels would be in addition to a 2011 project in which solar panels were installed to serve the county Government Center in Marysville and at the Health and Human Services Department in Linda.
Supervisors voted last week to enter into a contact with Opterra Energy Services Inc., formerly Chevron Energy Solutions, to do the work on the project. They also gave the go-ahead to prepare Clean Renewable Energy Bonds to fund construction.
The project, initially presented to the board more than a year ago, is projected to save $16 million in energy costs during the next 30 years. Panels for the 1.6 kilowatt project would be located on property on the west side of the airport near the county animal shelter.
The $10 million 2011 project included solar panels and other energy-efficient improvements. That project was credited last year with helping cut the county’s annual power costs from about $1 million to $500,000 in one year.
Savings have been used to pay off the 16-year debt service. It is expected there will be enough savings for the county to pay it off early.
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