Township Plans for Second, Larger Solar Project (NJ)

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http://baskingridge.patch.com/articles/township-plans-for-second-larger-solar-project

While one solar project has been derailed by lawsuits, Bernards is getting closer to completing a second, even larger alternative energy venture in the coming months.

The township went out to bid for one of the largest solar projects in the area, a 3-megawatt facility next to the Pill Hill Recycling Center – four times the size of the Sewerage Authority's proposed site. Township Administrator Bruce McArthur said that reports have indicated that the area is essentially tailor-made for a large solar field. The panels would be placed on the capped, Pill Hill landfill, already considered an impervious surface with flat land, open space and no other practical use.

"It's kind of already pre-engineered for this purpose, McArthur said. The bid specifications call for a 15-year lease with an option for the township to purchase the facility at the conclusion. A minimum $100,000 payment must be made to the township at the execution of the lease, and an additional $50,000 fee is added after construction has been approved. The township also placed specifications calling for "very adequate insurance," according to McArthur, and an 18-month timeframe requirement for completing the project, with a $15,000 fee to grant an extension.

"It's kind of a tightrope walk of putting lots of guarantees and sureties, but not putting so many to as to scare everyone away," McArthur said. "We did not want to make it so onerous that we didn't get a bidder, keeping in mind that this is what we consider a useless piece of ground."

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