6.19.10
PURCHASING SOLAR POWERED ELECTRICITY
By: John Ivanic - Columbus City Council Highlights
Finance & Economic Development Committee Chair, Andrew J. Ginther is sponsoring ordinance 1117-2010 to authorize a ten year solar power purchase agreement with SolarVision LLC for the roof of the Fleet Maintenance Facility at 4211 Groves Road. The agreement allows SolarVision to own, operate and maintain a photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of the facility. The city, in return, will agree to provide SolarVision LLC a lease on the roof and purchase electricity produced by the system. This agreement will allow the city to have the benefit of clean energy without the upfront costs of purchasing, installation or the long-term maintenance of the system. SolarVision proposes to operate a 440 kW system, which would be the largest non-utility owned roof-top solar array in six states. The system will provide up to one-third of the Fleet Maintenance facility's electricity. The city will have a fixed price per kW/h for a ten-year term and expects to purchase between $30,000 to $60,000 of electricity per year. This power purchase agreement demonstrates the city's commitment to reducing its own carbon footprint, as well as committing to be a leader in the growth of the solar industry, especially in central Ohio.

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