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Ulster County approves state-funded solar contract for Golden Hill facility
Summary
The Ulster County Legislature approved a resolution to execute a contract with Solar Liberty Energy Systems Inc. to install solar panels on buildings at the Golden Hill facility using a $1.6 million state grant; the county will provide the required local match and will own the system under an easement and power purchase agreement.
The Ulster County Legislature on March 18 approved Resolution No. 85 to execute a contract with Solar Liberty Energy Systems Inc. for installation of solar panels on multiple buildings at the Golden Hill facility, using a state grant and a county match.
The resolution authorizes the county to enter a contract for the Golden Hill solar project and to accept a state grant the presenter described as $1,600,000; the grant requires a 50% local match that the county will provide, the presenter said.
Why it matters: The county will own the solar system under an easement on Penrose property and will operate it under a power purchase agreement. County officials said the design will cover common-area loads rather than the facility’s entire electricity consumption and that rebates and other incentives are included in project financing.
County staff described the contract and financing details during the meeting and noted an unresolved protest to the procurement that could affect final implementation. "The grant is for 1,600,000.0 as I recall from the from the state. We will be able to essentially, it requires a 50% match," said Dennis, a county staff member. He said if the protest is not resolved the legislature could remove and resubmit the resolution when that matter is settled.
The legislature discussed the system scope and configuration, including solar facilities on seven Golden Hill buildings and that the installations are intended to serve common areas rather than the facility’s entire load. Legislators asked whether the kilowatt capacity listed in the staff table would cover the new facility’s usage; staff replied the design covers common areas, not full facility demand. The transcript contains a numerical remark about kilowatts that was corrected during discussion; the capacity figure in the contract documents was not read aloud in full during the meeting and is not specified in the transcript.
Motion and outcome: The motion to approve the contract was made by Legislator Kyle Grama and seconded by Legislator Clinton. The motion carried; the meeting record shows the ayes were called and the chair announced approval.
Implementation notes: Staff said the county will hold an easement on the Penrose property for the system and will continue work on the power purchase agreement and related contract terms. If the outstanding procurement protest is not resolved before the Ways and Means committee meets, staff said the legislature would consider removing the item until the protest is resolved.
What’s next: Staff will continue to finalize contract documents, address the procurement protest, and proceed with project implementation subject to grant conditions and any required adjustments.
