Solar panels coming to Prince William landfill

Update

Deborah Campbell, a communications specialist for the county, has provided more information on the costs associated with the solar panels project.

More in a statement from Campbell:

The County will lease the solar energy project from CGC at a first year annual cost of $245,032, increased by 2% per year.  This lease amount is based upon the average amount of electricity (1815 MW-hours) to be generated and net metered to reduce the power purchased from NOVEC.  The Agreement will be for 25 years from the date of execution.  At the end of the term, CGC will remove the solar energy project at its expense, or at the County’s option, sell the project to the County at fair market value.  The project is to be installed within 365 days from the Agreement execution date.

Based upon the estimated lease cost and credits/revenues, the first year cost savings for the solar energy project will be $13,396.

Lease Payment to CGC                                 $(245,032)
Electric bill savings                                         $ 181,505
SREC value                                                    $   63,527
Excess power sales                                          $   13,396
Total savings/revenues                                    $ 258,428

Net first year savings                                      $  13,396

The estimated annual savings will increase each year.  The total 5-year savings is estimated to be $65,958.  The total net present value projected savings over the 25 year term is estimated to be $295,500.  Once the project is operational and actual savings realized, the General Fund utility payment budget can be reduced.

Original post

After approval by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, the Public Works Department will be developing a solar energy generation project at the county landfill.

More on the reasons behind the project, from a county release:

Placing solar panels on the open space of closed and capped areas of landfills have become an accepted and viable option for landfills throughout the United States. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies concluded that installation of solar panels on closed landfills is a Best Management Practice. The project is also consistent with the Virginia initiative for producing renewable energy by state and local governments through public-private partnerships, and the EPA Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel power plants.

The project is being completed using public-private partnership with CGC, Inc.

According to a release, CGC, Inc. will be designing, building and operating the solar panels, which will be providing power to county facilities at the landfill.

Prince William will save $13,000 a year by undergoing the project, as well as reducing the county’s carbon footprint by 1,400 tons a year, said a county release.

The solar panels will be ready for use in 2016.