Township Enters Solar Panel Program

The Township Committee adopted a resolution that announced Cranford's participation in the $45 million Union County Renewable Energy Initative during a regular meeting on Tuesday. 

A program created by the Union County Improvement Authority, the agreement will likely result in solar panels basking on the roof of both the Cranford Public Library and the Community Center, installed by a private developer, Mayor Mark Smith said. This will cut down on the energy bill for these buildings, according to UCIA legal representative Ryan Scerbo at the township Aug. 16 meeting. 

However the exact savings to the township can't be calculated until UCIA receives bids from private developers in October. When the organization strikes a deal with a bidder, Scerbo said UCIA will discuss the deal with the municipality and disclose how much Cranford will expect to save on energy costs. At that point, the Committee can choose whether to sign the 15-year agreement, he said.

Scerbo said the township is not responsible for costs associated with the installation or maintenance of the solar panels unless the township finds it necessary to move around energy equipment on the roof of the library or community center – or if the township sells the structures within a 15-year period.

"You in fact have no debt responsibility," he said to commissioners on Aug. 16.

Instead the private developer will pay for the solar panels by receiving lucrative energy certificates and taking advantage of renewable energy federal tax incentives. The private developer also will offer up security funds just in case something goes sour – if the company goes bankrupt for example. Requiring the developer to provide these funds ensures the county won't be responsible for the remaining cost, Scerbo said. 

At Monday's meeting, Scerbo also told township officials about a similar Morris County renewable energy pact created in February. A band of municipalities struck a deal that amounted to savings of at least 35 percent on energy bills next year for 19 buildings.  

"It was a decision that was fairly easy to make," Smith said at the Aug. 17 meeting after voting 'yes' to the resolution. Along with Smith, three other commissioners voted to accept it – Martha Garcia, Daniel Aschenbach and David Robinson. Commissioner Mark Dugan abstained from the vote.