SEQUIM — A reduced payback period is expected to tip the scale toward the completion of a community solar project.
Clallam County Public Utility District commissioners Monday unanimously approved a resolution in support of the community solar project.
Continuation of the project was questioned by the commissioners after PUD staff extended the original enrollment deadline in response to an initial lack of participation.
98 percent
The project now has about 98 percent of the community commitment sought for construction, and a shift from the original plan is anticipated to bridge the gap to full participation.
“To go forward with the community solar project, it’s more attractive to go with in-state produced equipment,” said Fred Mitchell, Clallam County PUD power supply and utility services manager.
“It brings the simple payback down from 25 years to 15 years.”
Given state incentives available at least through 2020, building the solar system with locally manufactured equipment is estimated to carve 10 years off the time it takes for participants to regain their investment, Mitchell explained.
However, the shorter payback period comes at a price.
Sell more units
To offset the $37,000 cost increase to the $300,000 project, PUD officials are selling 1,350 units instead of 1,200.
“We have another 150 units to sell, but I think that the lower payback will be just that much more attractive,” Mitchell said.
The concept behind the solar project is to allow as many interested PUD customers an opportunity to support renewable energy.
“Through this project, you don’t have to own a home or be in an ideal location for rooftop solar to benefit from solar energy,” Mitchell said.
Also, the community project makes solar energy more economically viable for those who can’t afford to install a personal rooftop system, he added.
Price per unit
Under the adjusted plan, the price per unit remains at $250 with a maximum purchase limit of 40 units.
PUD customers who participate will receive credits on their electric bills based on the electricity generated by the project and their share of units purchased.
Additionally, they’ll receive a state production incentive per unit until June 2020.
On a first-come, first-served basis, all those who have committed interest under the initial plan will have first choice at purchasing more units if desired because of the shorter payback.
“We want to give people who were willing to step up under the old economics the first bite at the apple under the new economics,” Mitchell said.
Once all the units are purchased, PUD officials will move onto getting the necessary permits for construction.
Might require SEPA
“There are some indications it’s going to require a SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) checklist, but tightening down permitting requirements is really the next step,” Mitchell said.
For more information on the community solar project, visit www.clallampud.net/communitysolar or call the PUD main office at 360-452-9771.
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Alana Linderoth is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at alinderoth@sequimgazette.com.
