Solar panels needed for treatment plant – LEEDS gold rating

The District of Sechelt heard on August 13 that it should fork over another $100,000 on top of the 20 million it has already budgeted for the new sewage treatment plant at Surf Circle, in order to purchase alternative power kits.

Sechelt Council voted unanimously to buy solar panels to stem rising Hydro costs for the plant, and help meet the LEEDS Gold rating, a Change Order document states.

“(Builder) Maple Reinders will prepare the tender and the District can evaluate the proposals. Maple Reinders will incur their own costs in preparing the tender, electrical work etc., and this will be part of the Change Order,” documents from water plant coordinator, Paul Nash said.

The cost breakdown on the Order presented to the District’s Committee of the Whole, notes the $99,000 bill for solar panels includes the cost of, “supply and installation by solar contractor $75,000; Coordination by Maple Reinders $15,000; and Contingency 10 per cent $9,000.” Energy savings from the solar panels were cited to be $2,500 to $3,000 initially, but would rise with increasing hydro rates, Nash’s estimates stated.

Apryl Veld