West Deptford Committee Debating RiverWinds Solar Plans

Plans to power with a major solar installation, potentially saving the township close to $2 million over the life of the project, are one step closer to fruition, after the started the process of debating several bids Thursday night.

A trio of firms put in plans after the township ; while the committee didn't approve any of the bids after a closed session, they did opt to ask one of the bidders to come in to give a presentation on the specifics of the project, from the aesthetics to various guarantees by the developer.

“There are a lot of issues we want to talk about,” township administrator Eric Campo said.

The proposals are for a massive carport-style solar system, completely paid for and maintained by the developer at no cost to the township, that would cover all the parking lots at the community center, as well as the lots by the tennis center and football fields.

The developer would sell the energy produced by the array to West Deptford, which would use it to run the community center.

“When you have available space, especially in parking lot areas, why not turn it into energy-producing equipment?” Campo said. “It makes sense to give it at least a real hard look.”

While the solar project wouldn’t completely meet the community center’s energy needs, it will provide about 70 percent of the electricity used annually, and at a significantly reduced cost, township engineer Ed Steck said.

The township currently pays PSE&G 16¢ per kilowatt-hour for electricity, and the bids for the solar project came in at 10.5¢ per kilowatt-hour.

Based on bids he’s seen elsewhere and fluctuations in price due to peaks and troughs in the energy market, Steck said it’s a good deal for West Deptford.

“I think this is a pretty fair price,” he said.

Based on current usage at the community center, Campo said it would save the township about $125,000 per year versus what PSE&G is charging.

While a date hasn’t been set for the township committee to hear the expanded presentation, Campo said that presentation, as well as a final decision either to proceed or nix the project, will happen by the end of the year.