Collier receives PA Governor’s Award
Collier Township has been awarded the 2015 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in the category of “Innovative Community/Governmental Initiatives,” for the rooftop photovoltaic electrical generating system that was constructed and in service on top of the Collier Public Works Department garage roof.
The uniquely sustainable project was routed around the need to replace the roof on the Public Works Building, located adjacent to the municipal building. In an effort to become more green and sustainable, township commissioners evaluated the installation of a rooftop photovoltaic electricity-generating system at the same time the roof membrane was replaced. After evaluation, the township authorized its engineer Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering, Inc., to prepare contract bid documents and specifications for the work. In addition, Collier’s solicitor, Charles Means, was authorized to prepare a power purchase and operating agreement creating a limited liability company that could participate in an energy buy-back system. The new LLC created for the Township of Collier is the Collier Solar Roof, LLC. The project was bid and awarded Scalo Solar Solutions, a solar developer located in Pittsburgh. Jack Scalo of Scalo Solar Solutions designed and installed the system. The solar system’s life was set equal to the roof’s anticipated life of 30 years to prevent the need for removal of the system if the roof needed to be replaced.
The project consists of 132 glass tube solar modules installed on the Public Works Garage roof. The 22kW photovoltaic system is estimated to generate a net savings of approximately $75,000 by selling back to the utility company (Duquesne Light Co.) via a grid-tied system. A grid-tied system allows excess solar energy to be sold and eliminates the need for storage batteries. The environmental benefit is the reduction of over an estimated one million pounds of carbon dioxide gas emissions while reducing utility costs and decreasing the township’s carbon footprint.
Collier Township will be recognized in the State Capitol by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, DCED Secretary Dennis Davin, and Gov. Tom Wolf on April 15.