Sussex moves closer to solar panel project

Sussex County officials hope to install a large solar array to power its Emergency Operations Center.
County Council on Tuesday night approved plans to use a $648,000 federal grant to install about 400 ground-mounted solar panels to provide electricity to the center.

But first, the county will have to win the award from the U.S. Department of Energy. So far it's received $40,000 for developing a strategy for meeting its energy needs, and how new technologies could meet those needs.

The county worked with Flexera Inc., of Harbeson, to develop its strategy, which included an energy audit, including weatherizing its buildings and searching out sources of renewable power.

Cameron Haughey of Flexera said the group picked the Emergency Operations Center, because the building is the most energy efficient of the county's buildings, since it was built just last year.

Haughey said the building also will be hooked onto the electrical grid. It's there to "complement the grid. It's not there to take it over," he said.

Sussex County reported the solar panels would save them $12,000 annually in electricity costs, and generate another $30,000 in annual revenue through the sale of renewable energy credits.

County officials hope to hear from the Department of Energy early next year. If approved, construction would take three to six months. It's required to be completed by August 2011.

County officials say the project would get them a $200,000 state rebate.

If approved, it would be the second major stimulus-related solar project in Delaware. The city of Wilmington is receiving a low- or-no-interest federal loan for a project that will use solar energy to power a municipal complex.