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Committee approves billing change with Constellation Energy; county expects about $80,000 a year in savings once solar fields operate
Summary
The Works Committee approved a contract rate change to move the county onto a single utility bill for community solar billing; staff said the change raises costs modestly this year but the two planned solar fields should cut county utility costs by roughly $81,000–$85,000 annually.
The Works Committee approved a contract change that will alter the county’s billing arrangement with Constellation Energy so community solar credits and charges appear on a single utility bill.
County staff explained the change is required to consolidate billing under the community-solar arrangement with NextAmp and National Grid. Staff projected a short-term increase of about $3,000 for the remainder of the year because Constellation’s rate will rise to produce a single consolidated bill. "Once these come online, the two solar fields, we will see almost an $81,000 to $85,000 savings a year in our utilities," a county staff member said.
Staff also said the county expects revenue of about $65,000 per solar field; the current Constellation contract expires in October, so a renewal or replacement will be required. Committee members asked whether savings flow to the county generally or to specific facilities; staff confirmed the savings would accrue at the county level across county facilities.
The committee approved the rate change and instructed staff to proceed with contract renewal steps and implementation as the solar fields come online (staff indicated the southern parcel is expected to be online within the quarter).
