HURLEY >> The town expects to have a solar installation up and running by July, Supervisor Gary Bellows said this week.
Bellows told the Town Board Monday that equipment has been brought to the Town Hall property for installation.
“They are getting the last of their bits and pieces for their solar array … and as soon as they’ve gotten all of their physical equipment they will begin,” he said.
The Town Board in November awarded the $149,811 project to Albany-based Kasselman Electric.
The system is expected to consist of an array over the septic system behind Town Hall and a array near the parking lot. According to C.T. Male, the town’s engineering consultant, the system is expected to generate 25,885 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, saving the town about $2,589 a year.
Officials expect the array will generate enough electricity to cover electric bills at Town Hall and put the excess into the electric grid.
“It’s going to run this building,” Bellows said. “We hope to have enough to get a check back.”
Funding for the solar panels was shifted from a $100,000 grant from the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation that was awarded for improvements to the rail trail about eight years ago. However, the source of the funding was changed to the state Dormitory Authority for a solar energy project when town officials completed the rail trail work before the grant was finalized.
Bellows said the balance of project cost will be paid through savings set aside in a reserve fund.
“We have put away money over the years … and have enough to cover all costs,” he said.
