The borough will take a pioneering step into the world of renewable energy by installing solar panels on the roof of the building that houses Fire Company No.2 on Schuyler Avenue.
The borough council this week awarded a $35,624 contract to Real Good Solar to install 36 solar panels on the roof of the firehouse, which requires a new roof . The council also awarded a $19,790 contract to All Professional Remodeling Group of Cedar Grove to replace the existing roof on the building.
Council President Richard Hughes said the solar panel installation at the fire house will serve as pilot project for future consideration of solar panels installation on other borough-owned buildings.
“This is an opportunity for us to measure the efficiency of solar energy with a minimal investment by the community,” said Hughes.
Hughes said the borough will not only save money on energy used at the fire house, but can sell energy credits to power companies thanks to a state law that requires utility companies to get a percentage of their power from renewable resources.
The solar contractor says the borough should save about $117,000 over 20 to 25 year life of the solar system and should recoup its investment in the solar panels in about 11 to 12 years. The contractor estimates that solar produced energy will generate 81 percent of the firehouse’s energy needs in the first year.
Hughes said the solar panel installation will allow the borough to pay for the new roof over time. He said no special supports will be needed on the firehouse roof to accommodate the solar panels.
With other public buildings in town requiring new roofs in coming years, Hughes said the firehouse project will serve as a test case to determine if solar panels will work for other buildings.
“If we can install solar panels on other public buildings in town and have the solar installation offset the cost of roof replacement, it will be a substantial benefit to the taxpayers,” said Hughes. “In addition we will be generating renewable energy to lower our utility costs.”
Councilman Steve Tanelli noted that the project is relatively low cost entry into the volatile world of renewable energy – a world where the market for renewable energy credits has nosedived in recent months, but will likely bounce back. “If successful, this could lead to an opportunity for the borough to make major future investments in solar energy,” said the councilman.
“We will be watching this project carefully and monitoring the actual savings and the maintenance required to justify the investment in solar energy ” he added.
