Adamstown council approves PPL application to investigate potential solar project

When: Adamstown Borough Council meeting, Sept. 2.

What happened: Council approved a $4,100 application for PPL Electric Utilities to determine the costs of moving forward with a solar project.

Solar array: The solar array the borough is planning would generate enough energy to power the Adamstown Community Pool and the Wastewater Treatment Plant and would be near the plant. The borough is looking to take funds from its investments in the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust and put that money toward the installation of the solar system, Randy Good, council president, said.

Starting costs: The proposed out-of-pocket install price for the borough for this project would be $617,400, with $353,782 of costs potentially being covered by a PPL grant and by a 30% federal tax deduction if the project is started by July of next year, Alex McManimen, council member, said.

Long-term: The generating power from the solar array could help lock in long-term energy costs with greater predictability than energy rates which must be renegotiated biannually, McManimen said. Startup costs would be expected to be covered after seven to 10 years, with the anticipated lifespan of the solar panels being 20-30 years.

What’s next: The approved evaluation from PPL does not commit the borough to its solar plan but rather is a preliminary measure that will help determine hookup costs.

Tree planting: Council approved the planting of eight trees at the borough’s parks at a total cost of around $4,050, working with Hollander Lawn & Landscape. At Adamstown Community Park, workers will plant three oak trees and a new evergreen tree. Workers will also plant four trees around the playground in the Brookview neighborhood.

What’s next: Council will next meet at 7 p.m. on Oct. 7.