To the editor:
For the record, Leelanau County actually rates pretty well for solar energy. Germany is further north than we are, and they generate over 10% of their country’s electricity from solar. There’s nothing quite like great engineering combined with savvy fiscal policy!
How long will it take to payback the cost of putting solar on our county’s facility? For Leelanau County taxpayers, perhaps only a couple of months. The county’s only costs are incidental — mainly time spent discussing the matter. The federal government’s Inflation Reduction Act is offering pick up the tab.
Free clean energy is good energy. The county is applying for a grant. If we receive the grant, proceeds will pay for the solar installation. Without the project, Leelanau pays the utility for electricity. With the project, the county will save some $1.3 million. This is effectively free electricity.
Referencing figures from the analysis performed by 5 Lakes Energy (available to the public on the Michigan EGLE’s website) the project costs $1.5 million, producing all-in benefits of $4.1 million over 31 years. Even for the federal government, who would pay for the project, payoff is a short 11 years.
Isn’t there an old saying about looking a gift horse in the mouth?
Mark Ames Suttons Bay
