Tioga, Union agree to deal on solar arrays

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Solar panels will become a familiar site on government buildings in Union County over the next year, as Tioga Energy last week announced a deal to build 44 solar projects — totaling 3.4 megawatts of generation capacity — on local government properties.

The projects are being built under a power-purchase agreement, whereby Tioga will own and operate the solar arrays, selling the generated power to the county at a discounted price for 15 years.

Tioga is financing the projects through an arrangement with the Union County Improvement Authority, with a combination of low-interest municipal bonds, and federal and state incentives. This is the third county-wide project in the Garden State to be financed in this manner, the company said.

“The Tioga team is constantly working to highlight the viability of solar in any economic climate, and we’re now seeing more and more communities like Union County exploring unique financing mechanisms to bring renewable projects to life,” said CEO Paul Detering.
Construction on the solar arrays is set to begin in the next several months. All 44 projects are expected to be complete by April 2012.

– Jared Kaltwasser