Longmont wants to put solar arrays on eight city-owned buildings at a cost of $4.4 million to move closer to the goal of being powered by 100% renewable energy by 2030.
There is no funding for the solar photovoltaic electric energy generation installation. And city council has yet to formally review their viability to cut energy consumption. But the feasibility study that led to the recommendation for solar installations provides a footprint for Longmont as it moves to provide cleaner, energy sources in the future, according to a staff report to council.
Council was slated to review the feasibility study at its Nov. 17 meeting, but the discussion was tabled until a later, still undetermined date.
“The solar feasibility study contributes to a larger effort of the city’s commitment to its goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2030 and provides a list of potential locations to consider for any future solar installation projects,” the staff report stated.
The buildings were picked because of their proximity to city electrical infrastructure; capability to offset an existing electrical load; environmental impact; existing environmental conditions; future land use, and other physical site issues, according to the staff report.
Longmont and Namaste’ Solar, which helped conduct the feasibility study, originally looked at 31 publicly owned buildings and properties for solar photovoltaic installations, the report stated.
The study recommended eight sites and the estimated cost of each project and the estimated kilowatt hours — or kWh — of electricity each could produce annually are:
- Waste Services building, 110 S. Martin St.; $370,000; 337,490 kWh.
- WasteWater Treatment Plant maintenance office, 501 First Ave.; $150,000; 114,000 kWh.
- Roosevelt Pavilion in Roosevelt Park, 700 Longs Peak Ave.; $170,000; 129,700 kWh.
- Centennial Pool, 1201 Alpine St.; $130,000; 112,000 kWh.
- Public Works operations and maintenance facility, 375 Airport Road; $490,000; 392,240 kWh.
- Centennial Pool carport, 1201 Alpine St.; $750,000; 337,740 kWh.
- Floating solar installation on a pond at the Nelson Flanders Water Treatment Plant, 13212 N. 53rd St.; $2.1 million; 1,255,600 kWh.
- Treatment filters WasteWater Treatment Plant; $260,000; 245,850.
The city is exploring grants and other opportunities to fund the solar installations, according to the staff report.
“Solar projects, when combined with innovative processes or technologies that support city goals, such as grid flexibility, can qualify for substantial funds to offset city budget spending,” the report stated.
