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Rising Sun wins $1 million grant to build municipal solar array; town expects additional tax credit benefit
Summary
Town Administrator Calvin announced a $1,000,000 federal grant to build a town-owned solar array (for municipal electricity use, not community solar). He said new IRS rules and rack-credit revenue could add material financial benefit, but funding and siting are still being finalized.
Town Administrator Calvin told the board the town had been awarded a $1,000,000 grant to build a municipal solar array that would serve town government facilities. Calvin said owning the array — rather than entering a third-party lease — would allow the town to retain valuable renewable energy credits ("rack credits") and associated revenue.
"We got the million dollar grant," Calvin said. He described prior third‑party proposals that would have leased town land in exchange for modest monthly payments while the private companies kept the rack credits. Under the current approach, the town would own the array and the credits. Calvin estimated the town now pays about $115,000 a year in electric bills and that a town-owned array could eliminate that expense and generate roughly $50,000 a year in rack-credit revenue. He also said recent federal tax rule changes mean the town anticipates receiving about $600,000 from the IRS in addition to the grant, though the transcript does not provide legal or procedural details for that payment and the timing remains contingent on federal program rules.
Calvin outlined potential siting options: at the wastewater treatment plant or at a location associated with the park zoo (discussed as a public–private partnership). He cautioned that installing panels at the wastewater plant would reduce the town's available footprint for future wastewater uses and said the town is seeking a site that balances energy, operational flexibility and future utility needs. He emphasized this would be a municipal system to serve town government operations, not a community solar program for private residents.
The grant award is contingent on final agreements, site selection and compliance with county regulations and program rules. Town officials said they are exploring whether the project could be combined with a covered parking design if additional funds are secured.
