Hopkins County Fire Department will soon be utilizing solar power to generate energy for the station, thanks to a grant incentive program which will allow the panels to be installed on the facility at no charge to the county.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court during their regular meeting Monday approved documents authorizing James Showalter Solar Installs to install a 51.6 kilowatt capacity a solar electric power generating system, referred to as a DRG, on the roof of Hopkins County Fire Department or Station 20 at 1286 Texas St., at no installation or materials cost to the county. The project is valued at $73,515, which includes a $31,693 Oncor EEPM Commercial solar incentive, a $20,911 Community Safety and welfare benefit incentive and a $20,911 non-profit benefit incentive from the installer.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said originally, Hopkins County received a grant from Oncor to put solar panels on the roof of the county jail. Those were installed in April. The county has yet to receive a bill or statement regarding impact of solar panels on energy costs. Hopkins County Civic Center already has solar panels to help with electric energy costs at that facility.
When inquiry was made regarding potential additional funding for solar panels for the fire department, officials were told there was no additional funding at that time. However, an application was made anyway, with a request that the county be given consideration if any additional funds were to become available.
County officials were notified late last week that some additional funding is now available. With the project approved, installation can begin. The panels are expected to be installed this week, weather permitting, Newsom reported.
