Jordan eyes savings under solar program
A rooftop is covered with solar panels at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
JORDAN — Jordan officials are looking toward the next phase in a regional solar energy program overseen by the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board that could save village taxpayer money.
A solar energy project could save Jordan $12,000 or more in electrical energy bills, according to Mayor Richard Platten.
Officials said it's still far from being a "done deal," but a group of solar panels would be located on property adjacent to the village sewer plant. A linked but separate project would see street lights with the much more economical and longer-lasting LED lamps.
Under the program, called SolarizeCNY, the regional planning board has selected a solar energy contractor called Abundant Solar Power to work with a group of about 25 participating municipalities and organizations.
The most common setup expected under the program would involve Abundant installing and retaining ownership of equipment on participants' property and selling them low-cost energy that's generated.
Under that arrangement, Jordan officials said, the cost electricity would be about seven cents per kilowatt hour.
David V. Bottar, executive director of the planning and development board, said the primary goal of the energy management program is to promote the use of energy conservation measures and alternative energy development in central New York.
The SolarizeCNY program is part of the larger statewide Clean Energy Communities program. The state selected the regional planning board to run that program in central New York.
"This designation provided the agency an opportunity to increase its commitment to helping individuals, businesses, and local units of government access a range of technical assistance services and financial resources which are available to support energy initiatives in their communities," Bottar said.
Other local municipalities and organizations involved in the SolarizeCNY program include Cayuga and Onondaga counties; the city of Auburn; the towns of Brutus, Elbridge, Niles, Owasco, Scipio and Skaneateles; the village of Jordan, Moravia and Union Springs; and Wells College.
Installation projects are expected to begin next year, with the target for having all the work complete by 2019.