Council to consider lease of city property to solar energy generation company
By JOHN KLINE john.kline@goshennews.com
GOSHEN — A new solar energy generation facility could be on its way to the city’s north side.
Goshen City Council members Tuesday are set to consider a lease agreement with Toledo, Ohio-based Solscient Energy LLC, involving approximately 54,400 square feet of city-owned property located at 1000 W. Wilden Ave.
According to the agreement, Solscient Energy is seeking to lease the property for a term of 15 years at a cost of $4,200 per year, with periodic adjustments for inflation.
Should the lease be approved by the council Tuesday, Solscient would then use the property as the site of a new solar energy generation system for the purposes of generating electricity for sale to Northern Indiana Public Service Company under NIPSCO’s Rate 665 Feed-In-Tariff program.
According to the agreement, Solscient will design, engineer, procure equipment and components, construct, own and operate a 322.24kW ground-mounted solar array which will include the following components:
• 1,007 solar panels
• Seven SMA Sunny Tripower 30kW inverters
• Solar Flex Rack Series 3GL fixed pitch racking system
• Master distribution panel
• Pad-mounted 480V - 12.47kVA step-up transformer
• NIPSCO meter
• Utility-accessible AC disconnect switch
• Balance of systems components and equipment
As part of the proposed contract, Solscient has agreed to pay all real estate taxes on the Wilden Avenue property, as well as any personal property taxes resulting from the installation of any equipment or any improvements added or installed by the company throughout the lease term.
The Goshen City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Goshen Police and Courts Building, 111 E. Jefferson St.
Follow John on Twitter at @jkline_TGN