Monongalia County approves 25-year solar power purchase agreement for county center

Monongalia County Commissioners on Sept. 10 approved a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with vendor Solar Holler to provide photovoltaic-generated electricity to the Mon County Center, with an option to extend the contract for an additional 10 years.

County staff told commissioners the PPA requires no upfront equipment cost to the county; Solar Holler would own, finance and maintain the panels and equipment and the county would purchase the electricity. Staff said the contract includes a fixed-rate structure with a 1.9% annual increase. During the discussion a commissioner summarized the vendor's quoted rate in colloquial terms as "point, 7¢ per kilowatt," and staff noted average electricity rates have been rising at roughly 3% annually, which the PPA is intended to help hedge against.

Rachel (county staff) said the county began exploring options about a year ago and accelerated the timetable to capture available federal tax incentives. Staff said Solar Holler submitted two proposals; one was disqualified for failing to meet minimum technical requirements and Solar Holler's PPA was selected as the preferred approach because it minimizes administrative burden for the county and passes financing and tax-credit administration to the vendor.

Officials said construction is not expected until about 2027 while the vendor completes financing and procurement; the county's role will be limited to buying the power produced under the PPA and hosting the facility at the Mon County Center. A commissioner who spoke during the meeting said the agreement allows the county to cap certain utility costs and potentially sell back excess generation under contract terms.

The commission moved to approve the agreement and authorized the administrator to sign on the county's behalf; the motion passed by voice vote.