February 27, 2009
12:15 p.m.
ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - On Tuesday, March 3, 2009 there will be a "Solar Power On! Ceremony", for the start up of the first Alachua County Government photovoltaic project. The ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. at the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station (LBEP) located at 5115 N.E. 63rd Avenue, Gainesville.
The array of solar panels at the Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station, once operational, will produce an average of 150 kilowatts each day which is equivalent to approximately 15% of the electricity used to power the Leveda Brown Environmental Park.
The energy produced will feed directly into the grid of Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU). A feed-in tariff (FIT) from GRU will pay 32 cents per kilowatt produced for 20 years for the energy we feed into the grid. With all county offices looking for ways to reduce operational costs, the solar array allows the transfer station to be green and fiscally responsible.
Sean McLendon, Alachua County Sustainability Manager notes, "Solar power is and will be in the future, an integral technology for all County buildings with the potential to, at a minimum offset some energy consumption and at a maximum create carbon-free, energy independence. With an estimated 36kw of solar photovoltaic power to be online by June 2009, County staff is looked to as a leader in the community by its early adoption and budding expertise in multiple departments and offices. This, along with our area's geography, citizen support and not least, the GRU service area Feed in Tariff (FIT) makes Alachua County uniquely poised to be of regional if not national significance on this technology."
For more information, please call the Alachua County Division of Waste Management at 352-374-5213.
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