GENESEO – The Geneseo Village Board is discussing a possible partnership with a California solar power company that could install solar panels for free in parts of the village and then bill the Village for the electricity.
Mayor Richard Hatheway recalled various conversations with a representative from a California-based outfit who has been scouting around for partnerships.
“What they would look at is the amount of electricity used at the sewer treatment plant, and see if it’d be economically feasible to put up a bunch of solar panels,” explained Hatheway. “They do all the up-front costs, and then we agree to pay for the power that’s generated.”
Hatheway said that the outfit services municipalities across the nation, including New York State.
Trustee Ben Gajewski, who also serves as Executive Director at the Genesee Valley Conservancy, asked about any ecological appeal of the proposal, but there was not yet enough information for a concise answer.
Deputy Mayor Sandra Brennan added that she and David Woods, Chairman of the Village Planning Board, would now make it more of a priority to learn more about the solar power options available to the Village.
Trustee Margaret Duff suggested that the Board look for solar power companies that operate out of New York in the meantime, saying that it would be worth investigating.