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Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon unveiled an ambitious plan Monday to install power-generating solar panels on the roofs of more than 50 county buildings.
Corroon noted the irony of talking solar power on a blustery winter day, but said he was excited about the prospect of not only saving on county energy costs, but establishing a system that would solidify rates in a future that could see volatile changes in power markets.
Of the 50 slated for inclusion in the plan, 20 of the facilities will make up the first phase of the project.
"This plan replaces 25 to 30 percent of Salt Lake County's current energy needs," Corroon said. "It's enough to power a small city ... and would stabilize our electricity rate for the next 20 to 25 years."
The plan comes after the completion of a six-month solar initiative study conducted by GSBS Architects of Salt Lake. The firm evaluated the feasibility of installing rooftop solar panels and solar thermal (water heating) systems at 52 county facilities. Its findings indicate that solar panels could generate as much as 9.6 megawatts of power and net nearly $2 million in annual savings. In addition, solar thermal systems, which could be particularly effective at county swimming pools, could garner an additional $1 million in annual energy cost reductions.
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