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New solar panels currently being installed on seven County buildings will significantly lower County energy costs, while increasing the use of renewable energy in Tompkins County.

The firm Solar Liberty is installing the panels as part of a 15-year lease agreement with the County.  The panels will more than pay for themselves—for the annual lease payment of just over $14,000, the County will save nearly as much in energy costs, beyond the expense of the lease.

“This partnership with Solar Liberty, a Buffalo based company that uses American-made solar panels, will enable Tompkins County to deploy a total of 235 kW's of solar photovoltaic panels on seven buildings,” notes Ed Marx, Commissioner of Planning and Community Sustainability. “The PV panels will supply more that 10% of the electricity for those buildings while saving the County nearly $13,000 per year in energy costs.  The project represents another tangible step that Tompkins County is taking to transition to a renewable energy future and green economy.”

Panels already have been installed at the County’s Emergency Response Center and Public Works Facility.  Installations at County Building C (located in the Courthouse Complex) and the Human Services Building are scheduled next week, with installations at the Health Department and new Human Services Annex to follow.  Panels at the Public Safety Building will be installed next spring.  Each installation takes about two days, followed by necessary electrical work.  Panel configurations at each building range from just over 20 to nearly 50 kW generating capacity.

In authorizing the lease arrangement several months ago, the Legislature credited Solar Liberty for its creative approach in applying federal tax credits and New York State Energy Research and Development (NYSERDA) grants to offer such low-cost solar panel leases to public and not-for-profit organizations.   After installation, Solar Liberty will maintain the panels throughout the lease term, and at the end of the lease the County may choose to have Solar Liberty remove the panels, negotiate a lease extension, or purchase the panels at their then-market value.

Carol Chock, Chair of the Legislature’s Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, has praised the projects immediate and long-term benefits.  “The Solar Liberty project will save dollars for our taxpayers now, lower our carbon footprint, and hasten the era when all of us can achieve energy independence with renewable forms of power production,” she said.

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