REC sales could generate revenue

BRICK — The township could reduce its fossil fuel energy consumption by 7.6 percent
at Town Hall if it mounted solar panels on top of town hall, according to a township
study released Tuesday.

The study conducted by the Mayor's Advisory Council on Renewable Energy determined solar power could reduce town hall's electric bill by $27,000 annually using today's prices. And, through the sale of solar renewable energy credits, it could generate enough revenue to offset loans required to finance the project and infuse cash into the township coffers each year.

"It's a long-term investment that makes sense for the town and ultimately the
taxpayers," said Thomas Brys, a Birdsall engineer working with the mayor's committee. "In year one, we could realize a positive cash flow of about 2,000 bucks."

Within 30 years, the committee determined that more than $100,000 could be earned from a 134,000-kilowatt-hour solar system through the sale of solar renewable energy credits.

Roof-mounted panels could generate 110,000 kilowatt hours, and another 34 kilowatt hours could be generated through free-standing poles mounted in the parking lot. However some trees may need to be cut down to maximize the power generated at town hall, and town hall uses 2.03 million kilowatt hours annually.

"If I had a building with the same roof layout and parking lot, I would probably
fund the project myself," Brys said.

The Toms River School District announced in September its solar power system saved $483,000 through the sale of its solar credits and the reduction in power it purchases on the open market.

Toms River schools generate 2.59 gigawatt hours of solar electricity.

Voters here will be asked to approve a $4.7 million referendum Dec. 9. to build a
525-kilowatt hour solar system at Brick Memorial High School. Brick school officials peg it solar system could generate up to $84,000 each year.

The electricity at town hall is expected to cost $333,000 this year. The township is
expected to pay $1.5 million in electric bills for its buildings and street lights. The
cost for electricity jumped 10 percent from last year.

If the Township Council decides to build the solar system, it would be the second
renewable energy project the the township has undertaken. The concession stand planned for Ocean Beach will generate all its electricity from a windmill mounted on the roof.

"We certainly realize that we have to look at different ways to get energy,"
Council President Ruthanne Scaturro said. "It's getting more cost prohibitive all the
time."

By MATTHEW McGRATH

This story includes material from previous Press stories.