LIBERTY, ROCKLAND — Talks of an inter-municipal agreement continue as the towns of Rockland and Liberty await the results of an engineering analysis, known as a CESIR study, from contractors, Solar Liberty. 

The solar farm, which would take up around 1.76 acres, is at 45 Fishman Road, and while it is technically located within the Town of Liberty, the parcel is owned by the Town of Rockland and was formerly used as a gravel pit. According to Rockland Town Supervisor Rob Eggleton, the town is seeking Liberty’s assistance in cost-sharing and grant writing. The project has been on Rockland’s radar since 2016.

Because of this, Solar Liberty’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Rob Gauchat, presented before both towns of Rockland and Liberty on separate nights, but with the respective town supervisors present at both meetings. Compensation for energy generated for NYSEG can be split between 10 municipal accounts, which would be used to spread costs around to ensure increased savings.

According to Gauchat, the net cost to be paid to Liberty Solar would land around $1.3 million, with a gross cost of $1.489 million. The town supervisors noted that with the timeframe of the project’s progression, there would still be time to apply for grants to try to chip the price down. 

“This [type of project] is something we do all the time,” Gauchat said, noting that Solar Liberty has completed over 150 municipal applications over the past 20 years.

As the towns are compensated by NYSEG for the power generated and utilized throughout the region, the project is estimated to break even on investment after roughly 11 years. It has an estimated life span of 35 years.

In addition to affecting finances, Solar Liberty projects that the proposed 696 kilowatt system will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 33 million pounds of carbon dioxide over 25 years.

If it progresses further, it is assumed at this time that a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will not be required, Rockland will be responsible for any tree clearing on the property, as well as creating and maintaining an access road to the site, which would include a seven-foot tall agricultural fence.