City Solar Array Close to Savings Goal

The Bullhead City Hall solar photovoltaic system has been online for almost one year, and is coming close to meeting the projected savings of approximately $6,000 a year, or 10 percent of the city’s electric bill, said Steve Johnson, Bullhead City public information officer.


The 50-kilowatt, $400,000 project was the result of a partnership between the city and Mohave Electric Cooperative.

The panels were placed nine feet off the ground at the southern end of the Trane Road parking lot to make them more visible, Johnson said. “We have it where people can see it, so it stands as a model and as an example of what people can do, what businesses can do.”

The original agreement required the city to pay one-third of the cost for the system, but a $78,373 grant reduced the city’s share to $53,102, Johnson said. The city has to pay that amount back within 25 years.

The remaining two-thirds of the cost is funded by the Renewable Energy Standard Tariff paid by electric company customers throughout Arizona.

Since going online last Dec. 27, the city has saved $5,735, according to Johnson. “Demand” charges — paid by many commercials customers — have also been reduced. “By reducing that demand charge, we’re not having to pay (as much) for stand-by power, because we’re not requiring as much as we used to,” Johnson said.

More specific information on demand charge savings was not available at press time.

Source: http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2011/11/18/news/local/doc4ec60707ce9ee520399306.txt