Construction of solar panel facility set for September
Clearspot Energy this week announced it has secured funding for
the Hollister sewer plant solar project and that construction
should start in September, finishing around the start of 2011.
Atherton-based Clearspot in January came to agreement with the
city on its proposal to supply 1.2 megawatts of solar energy at the
wastewater plant, with estimates of between $2 million and $10.6
million in savings for taxpayers over the 30-year life of the
contract.
Construction of solar panel facility set for September
Clearspot Energy this week announced it has secured funding for the Hollister sewer plant solar project and that construction should start in September, finishing around the start of 2011.
Atherton-based Clearspot in January came to agreement with the city on its proposal to supply 1.2 megawatts of solar energy at the wastewater plant, with estimates of between $2 million and $10.6 million in savings for taxpayers over the 30-year life of the contract.
Clearspot months ago had expressed hopes for agreements with an array of public agencies in San Benito County for similar arrangements to generate and supply power. Company executives at the time expressed a need to obtain multiple agreements in order to gain the necessary financing from investors.
A technicality in state law, meanwhile, had allowed the city – and potentially other agencies – to negotiate exclusively with Clearspot for the contract on a fast track without open bidding.
On Monday, Clearspot executive Gary Banta noted how the company had secured financing for the city project and that it was close to doing the same for a solar deal with the Hollister School District. Clearspot plans to install solar panels in a facility near the sewer plant, while it anticipates placing panels over school parking lots and covered eating areas in the local district.
Banta said Clearspot had hoped to have funding in place for the district project within 30 days. The school deal, meanwhile, could save up to $11 million, Clearspot has estimated.
“On Friday, we funded the project and had the money wired in,” Banta told council members, later adding: “We are moving very swiftly on funding for the Hollister School District.”
Banta said the company has hired local contractor Don Dixon as project manager of the local endeavors. Banta said “many” locals will be employed through the work.
“We’re very excited to actually move forward at this point and put people to work and do great things for the City of Hollister,” he said.
Clearspot had planned to submit plans to the building department Tuesday, Banta said. The company would like to start construction in September and finish by the end of the year.
Councilman Doug Emerson, a vocal supporter of the Clearspot agreement, said he was “beginning to wonder for a while what was happening,” in reference to the eight-month delay between the approval and planned construction. He asked for a status report from Clearspot in September on expected revenue figures.
