Editor’s note: This article was corrected from an earlier version that mistakenly reported parking garages were among the buildings getting solar systems.
By Eric Curl
July 20, 2022 (updated) – The city is planning to install solar panels at 19 facilities throughout Savannah as part of a transition to clean and renewable energy sources.
The solar systems will be installed at police and fire stations, community centers, administrative buildings and wastewater treatment plants, under an agreement unanimously approved by the Savannah City Council on July 14. Each of the facilities was deemed suitable for solar based on energy usage profiles, the structural integrity of the rooftops, and shading.
Cherry Street Energy will install the solar systems at no upfront costs, under the proposed agreement, and the city will pay for the generated energy at a price that is less than the current utility rate, according to a staff report. The city expects to save more than $30,000 in the first year, while reducing energy use by about 3% relative to 2021 usage.
In total, the city expects to pay $6.32 million over 25 years for the service, which includes installation, operations maintenance and decommissioning. As part of the agreement, Cherry Street will also replace three roofs valued at $300,000. Cherry Street received the highest score of three company’s evaluated during the selection process, outscoring Hannah Solar Energy and Creative Solar.
The request for proposals was originally for 25 buildings, but installing systems at four parking garages was deemed too expensive due to the high cost of steel, according to city spokesperson Keturah Greene. Another site, the Visitor Center/Coastal Heritage Society site, was excluded due to historic preservation challenges and the city postponed installation at the Enmarket Arena until after a structural analysis is performed, Greene said. The city plans to bring additional locations of the systems to the council for consideration in future phases of the program, she said.
The solar power installations are part of the city’s 100% Savannah clean energy plan, which was adopted by the Savannah City Council in December 2021. The resolution committed the city to achieving 100% renewable electricity community-wide by 2035 and 100% renewable energy for all energy needs by 2050. The solar systems are expected to provide a portion of the buildings’ energy needs, Greene said. A full offset of the buildings’ energy use would be challenging due to limited roof space and regulatory considerations, she said.
The planned solar installations come after the city council’s approval in May 2021 of a lease agreement for 21 electric and 91 hybrid vehicles, which the city estimates will reduce light-duty fleet fuel consumption by about 20% and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 23%.
Planned solar locations:
Carver Village Community Center
Crusader Community Center
Moses Jackson Community Center
Pennsylvania Avenue Resource Center
Fire Department Headquarters
Fire Station 1 (Paulsen & 63rd)
Fire Station 6 (Liberty Parkway)
Fire Station 7 (Sallie Mood Drive)
Fire Station 14 (Highlands)
Savannah Police Department Headquarters
W.W. Law Center
President Street Wastewater Plant
Wilshire Reclamation Plant
Georgetown Water Reclamation Plant
I & D Water Plant
Police Admin Building
Adams Complex Administration Building
Hudson Hill Community Center
Grant Gymnasium
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