Planning Board Hears County Application for Solar Panel Canopies

The Freehold Township Planning Board heard an application from Monmouth County proposing the installation of solar energy panels on county-owned property in the township at the governing body’s regular meeting on Thursday.

The capital project review application calls for solar panels to be installed on parking canopies at the Human Services Complex on Kozloski Road.

The eight solar panel canopy constructions will range in size from 34 feet by 122 feet to 34 feet by 324 feet, according to documents read into the record by Planning Board Chair Richard Gatto. The canopies will have a 14-foot clearance.

The Planning Board approved a positive resolution in support of the application. A vote on a final resolution on the project will be held at future meeting of the governing body.

The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded Dobco Inc., a Wayne-based construction firm with a focus on sustainable energy projects, a 15-year contract to install solar panels and maintain electricity production at five county locations in May 2010.

In addition to the Human Services Complex, Dobco, Inc. will install solar panels at the Hall of Records and Monmouth County Courthouse, both in Freehold Borough; the John L. Montgomery Care Center in Freehold Township; and the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan.

Under the terms of the contract, the county will purchase the electricity generated by Dobco, Inc.’s solar panels.