Quincy breaks ground on first solar field in the county

Quincy officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the city’s first solar field last week.

During the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, October 13, Mayor Pro Tem Keith Dowdell said the 1.3 megawatt system and the 250 kilowatt battery energy storage system will bring the city better energy efficiency.

“These solar panels will allow Quincy to generate its own solar energy, which will lower electric rates,” Dowdell said.

Utilities Director Robin Ryals said energy from the solar array will be used to power the city’s sewage lift station; Ryals adds the project will save the city about $11,000 a month.

Despite Dowdell’s comments, Ryals said the solar project won’t decrease the amount citizens pay for electricity. However, he said since the city is saving money by decreasing the amount of electricity it purchases from Florida Power and Light Company, that may prevent electric rates from increasing as much.

Ryals said the money saved could also be used to improve the city’s infrastructure.

City Manager Jack McLean said the city services about 5,000 customers within 23 square miles of territory.

“This is going to be an environmentally friendly project as we continue to produce electricity for our waste water system, and excess power that we believe will generate that will be available to lower the cost of purchasing power that we currently pay,” McLean said.

Representatives from Florida Solar Utilities and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection also attended the ceremony.

Local leaders break ground on Quincy’s Solar Array Field on October 13.

“Solar is a powerful economic driver,” Robert Green, founder of Florida Solar Utilities said. “A lot of people want that energy, just to say they have it.”

Green, who was instrumental in bring the solar field to Quincy, said solar is a long duration project, like planting trees.

“If you plant a tree knowing you’re not going to be sitting in the shade because of your age and life goes on, but you plant that tree anyway so somebody can sit in the shade, you’re beginning to understand the meaning of life,” Green said.

Ryals said the city will manage the solar field, and he hopes the commission will budget money for him to hire a full-time employee to keep the solar field maintained and to keep it clean.

Gadsden Board of County Commissioners Chair Brenda Holt said this is a chance for opportunity for economic development.

This is the first solar operation and generating system in Gadsden County.

Holt said there are plans to develop two more solar fields on Atwater Road, on the west end of Gadsden County.

Sapp, who agreed with Holt, said she is thrilled about the solar field because she sees it as an opportunity to train people for higher skilled employment.

“Already at Gadsden Technical College where I serve as Career of Technical Education Coordinator, my director and I have been looking at Florida curriculum framework for classes that we can teach so that we can train folks to maintain and repair these solar cells once they are installed. So right there is economic development.” Sapp said, adding that she hopes the city can eventually add a wind field with windmills someday.

Ryals said the property the solar field is on does have room for growth.

This solar project costs $4.2million dollars, with 80 percent of that being covered by a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The solar panel project is expected to be completed by spring of 2022.

Erin Hill - Gadsden County News Service

Quincy breaks ground on first solar field in the county

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Quincy breaks ground on first solar field in the county

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What to do for Halloween?

Stewart Street students explore the professional realm with Career Week

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