( EDITOR’S NOTE:  Fred Swift is a columnist for the Hamilton County Reporter newspapers. His commentaries are reproduced here as part of a partnership between LarryInFishers.com and The Reporter.)

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County government is entering the age of solar power.

Commissioners this week approved plans for a solar energy system that will provide for the energy needs of the county corrections complex and the county health department. The buildings on Cumberland Road include the county jail, juvenile detention center, women’s lockup and work release center.

Solar panels, mounted either of rooftops or on pedestals in an open area, convert energy from sunlight to electricity. The system the county will be using will supply enough power to meet the needs for lighting, heating and air conditioning

The solar system is designed to save the cost of electricity. It is already in use at the Sheridan Community Schools, the first school system in the state to go solar. Reports indicate it is working well.

County officials are told their new system proposed by Johnson-Melloh of Indianapolis, will pay for itself in eight years. The cost of purchase and installation is $8.1 million. The County Council will consider methods of financing at their June meeting. The county is in a position to use cash, lease rental or bonding for the financing.

Debt retirement will be paid by the money budgeted annually for utilities. The solar panels will be located on county-owned ground on the east side of State Road 37 north of the health department. More solar power is being considered at the Government and Judicial Center when it is expanded next year.

Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt says the use of solar has been considered for several years, but only now with electric rates going up 5.5 percent and the cost of the solar systems going down dramatically does it make sense to adopt this type system. The conversion to solar power will be undertaken in two phases. A second phase is planned later when the county jail is expanded.

Heirbrandt said energy saving steps have been underway for some time with a savings of $68,000 per year using various methods of new technology. Utility costs are among the largest expenses in county government.