Sylvan Lake council approves gas generator for Community Center after rejecting municipal solar option on cost

Sylvan Lake City Council on Dec. 11 voted to install a gas-powered backup generator at the Community Center, concluding a municipally‑sited solar backup system is not fiscally practical at this time. City Manager Martin presented the analysis that drove the decision.

Martin told council that, because the city does not pay taxes, it would not qualify for the tax‑based incentives that can offset solar costs. He summarized the comparison: an initial premium of about $32,000 for the solar option, projected annual savings of roughly $1,200 from lower electricity and maintenance costs, a solar system life expectancy of about 20 years and an expected payback period longer than 25 years. Based on those figures, councilmembers agreed solar would not be fiscally responsible for this installation now.

Council then approved a motion, moved by Councilmember Buchanan and seconded by Councilmember Segal, to accept a quote from Oak Electric and Lowe's to install a gas generator at the Community Center at a cost of $16,592. The motion passed unanimously.

The decision balances short-term fiscal constraints against the council's stated desire to “go more green in the future,” a position several members expressed while voting for the gas unit. Martin said staff will continue to monitor renewable options and opportunities to reduce long‑term emissions when financially feasible.

Votes at a glance: the generator installation motion passed unanimously (Cowper, Buchanan, Segal, Zubrzycki voted yes; Clarke absent).