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Uploaded: Monday, July 23, 2012, 4:26 PM
Town considers adding solar panels to several sites
Council will hear plan to add panels to four town buildings
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by Jessica Lipsky
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 | The Danville Town Council is considering a solar power plan that could save the city up to $4 million in energy costs.
The plan would put solar panel carports at four town-owned sites: the town offices, Diablo Vista Park, Sycamore Valley Park and the adjacent maintenance center. Solar panels would offset 73 percent of the total electrical usage at those sites, said Development Services Director Steve Lake.
"(Solar panels) would result in the savings on the cost of electricity and, at the same time, provide shading for some of the vehicles that park at some of our facilities," Lake said, describing the results of a solar feasibility study conducted last year.
The town collectively spends an average of $12,000 a month on electricity for the sites in question, a number that could be drastically reduced depending on the way Danville decides to finance the project. Lake is currently weighing two options: a cash purchase that would have Danville act as an owner of the solar structure, or a power purchase agreement, in which the town would buy solar power from a third company.
With a cash purchase, the town would hire a company to build and install fixed solar panels at $1.8 million cost, which is offset by savings in electricity. Lake said the town can expect to save an average of $160,000 a year over 25 years, which is the life of the system. Solar panels at Diablo Vista Park, which is alternately beaten by and bathed in sunlight, will save $36,000 a year alone.
With a power purchase agreement, which should save over $2 million over the lifetime of the system, the town of Danville will sign an agreement that allows a company to build a solar structure on town property. The town would then buy electricity directly from that company at a discounted rate.
"We would immediately see a savings on our bill, but not as high as if we did a cash purchase," Lake said. "Our upfront investment is zero, but our savings will probably be on the order of $50,000 to $100,000."
If the town decides to go with a power purchase agreement -- a common occurrence among government facilities and private businesses that subsequently takes some of the peak energy load off PG&E -- officials would then have the option to buy the facility or have it removed at a future date.
Lake will present his recommendation to the Town Council on Aug. 14. He expects to break ground in late September. The solar arrays should take approximately two months to install.
Regardless of financing plan, Lake believes investment in solar power seems to be a smart move for Danville.
"If you want to go out and invest money in today's market, you're not going to get a very good return, but when you invest in energy, the rate of return on your investment starts climbing really rapidly," he said. "I expect to see a return on investment at five to 8 percent, which is a fairly good rate of return."
The town of Danville's feasibility study looked at six additional sites including the Railroad Avenue parking lot, Osage Station Park and the library and community center; all were deemed inappropriate or ineffectual based on aesthetics, economic efficiency and maintenance costs.
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Posted by LC, a member of the Monte Vista High School community, on Jul 24, 2012 at 7:44 am Our San Ramon Valley Unified School District has been thrilled with their solar project, which has been producing even more electricity than was predicted. Our son loves having shaded parking at Monte Vista High School as well. This sounds like a great idea that could create local jobs, help our town's finances, and be beneficial to the environment.
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Posted by tom, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 24, 2012 at 8:55 am I would suggest you do the math.. and see how much you really save, over the 25 year life. if you think there will be no problems along that 25 year journey... just like our brillant schools you will be fooled.
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Posted by spcwt, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 24, 2012 at 11:51 am How funny LC says solar panels have environmental benefits and provide shaded parking. ha ha.
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Posted by Sam, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 24, 2012 at 12:25 pm Saves money, reduces emissions from power generation, and provides shade. All important benefits. Unless you are a habitual naysayer.
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Posted by Big Mike, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 24, 2012 at 5:29 pm Too bad tom and spcwt don't see any positives in the proposal. Negatives with no recommendations for energy savings.
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Posted by tom, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 25, 2012 at 8:29 am To big Mike ..perhaps you should show the pluses in black and white as i said do the math and then get back to me....
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Posted by sponge_bob_roundpants, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 25, 2012 at 10:38 am Tom, ever heard of warranties? and warranties which provide compensation for lost power? They DO exist.
Seems to me you should do a little research (what's that saying - "engage brain before opening mouth")?
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Posted by spcwt, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 25, 2012 at 12:51 pm The environmental benefits from these solar panels are negligible to non-existent. This would be true even if we increased their numbers by a factor of 1,000. In effect, it’s like pouring a gallon of water on the Sahara and thinking it would help turn it into a garden paradise. It won’t.
We lie to ourselves, saying these solar panels will help the environment, in order to assuage our guilt for destroying the planet with the toxins that come from our cars’ tailpipes and our carbon-based economy. Solar panels are our penance. But they no more help our environment than self-flagellation helps a sinner. Our planet is dying. These solar panels are too little too late.
So yeah, I’m laughing at irony of someone saying they’re helping the environment while at the same time enjoying shade for their car.
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Posted by tom, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 25, 2012 at 4:29 pm sponge bob you are correct one of us should engage the brain go back to my first question do the math show me where the money is saved even with a warranty i will wait for your answer since you have your brain engaged
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Posted by Sam, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jul 30, 2012 at 12:35 pm spcwt doesn't realize how quickly solar power is growing, one project at a time.
HIs/her alternative for saving the planet is what? To do nothing?
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