HOWELL — The Howell Township Council has unanimously passed a resolution to enter into an agreement with the Monmouth County Improvement Authority (MCIA) to participate in the authority’s renewable energy program.
Through the program, 581 solar panels will be installed on the roof of Howell’s new municipal center, the Global office building on Route 9 north. The township recently purchased the building from a private owner and the plan is to move some municipal operations to that location.
Township Manager Helene Schlegel said there would be no cost to Howell to install the solar panels. Energy produced by the solar panels could eventually reduce Howell’s utility bills by 5 to 10 percent, she said.
The resolution was passed by the council following a presentation from Joseph Santaiti, vice president of Gabel Associates, the energy consultant to the MCIA, and Gerard Genna, project manager of Birdsall Services Group.
Santaiti said Monmouth County officials began pursuing a renewable energy program after observing successful efforts in Somerset and Morris counties.
“What makes us a little different from your traditional power purchase agreements is that the MCIA is going to use its AAA (bond) rating to significantly reduce the overall interest rate that you are going to be able to secure,” Santaiti said.
The developer of the solar energy facility (the solar panels on the roof) will be responsible to pay back the debt, he said.
Genna said the developer will also be responsible for repairs and maintenance of the solar panels. He said the panels of the 133- kilowatt facility will measure 3 feet by 5 feet and he said the system could be installed at the Global office building toward the end of 2012.
The power purchase agreements are 15- year agreements. At the end of the term the local government has the option to purchase the solar energy system at fair market value, have the solar energy system removed, or renew the agreement.
Schlegel said officials are exploring the possibility of installing a solar energy canopy at the police headquarters on Preventorium Road.
“We are looking to put (solar energy) canopies over the parking area and that would reduce the utility bills for the police department, which is obviously a large draw of electricity,” she said.
Councilman Robert Nicastro said the canopy and the solar panels would limit wear and tear on police vehicles and on the roof of the Global office building.
Mayor Robert Walsh called the decision to pursue solar energy facilities and a power agreement a “no-brainer.” He said, “Saving us money by not costing us money, it’s green, I’m fine with it.”
The council also passed a resolution to award a contract to Arch-Concept Corporation for the re-roofing of the Global office building at a cost not to exceed $331,000.
Nicastro noted that the initial estimates for the work were in the range of $500,000.
“I think it’s just another thing that needs to be commended,” the councilman said.
George Gravatt, the director of Howell’s Department of Public Works, said he expects the new roof on the Global office building to be in place early in 2012.