Solar project in St. Paris moving forward

ST. PARIS — A project that will save money for the village and improve its energy efficiency could be completed within the next few weeks.

The village reached an agreement with two companies last fall that will allow the installation of a 60 kilowatt solar array at the village’s well field near the intersection of South High Street and Helltown Road. The agreement included Solar Power and Light, based in Miamisburg, and Dovetail Solar and Wind, based in Athens.

Once complete, the project will allow the village to receive half of its power for the well field from the solar panels.

“Hopefully, it’ll be up and running in about a month,” said village Mayor Joe Braden.

SP&L will pay the full costs to build and maintain the panels for about 15 years. Dovetail will install the solar panels, which will be built near the well field and take about 9,500 square feet of space.

Braden said the village will likely save money overall on the project because the village will be able to purchase the electricity from SP&L at a discounted rate. Currently, the village purchases its electricity from DP&L.

Village officials are also hoping the project will be an early step to encourage additional green energy businesses to locate near St. Paris.

“It’s going to work out real well for the village,” Braden said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355.

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