Solar project at city airport prepares for take-off

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 17, 2015 5:12 p.m.

fpu1

FPU officials Mark Cutshaw (l) and R.J. Sicre brief FBCC.
FPU officials Mark Cutshaw (l) and R.J. Sicre brief FBCC.

Next year island residents might begin to see changes popping up at the municipal airport unrelated to aviation. Representatives of Florida Public Utilities (FPU) briefed the Fernandina Beach City Commissioners (FBCC) at the December 15th Regular Meeting about their proposed solar project at the airport. FPU representatives R. J. Sicre and Mark Cutshaw walked commissioners through a brief slide show explaining how they would proceed to take advantage of tax credits and lower solar equipment costs to bring power to their local customers through the solar project. In addition to reducing the carbon footprint, this project would ultimately lower the cost of electricity for consumers. The city would realize additional income from a lease agreement and property taxes.

The two areas currently proposed for location of solar panels in support of this project are located on open property at the municipal airport. In selecting sites and equipment, FPU was required to demonstrate to the FAA’s satisfaction that the project would not result in glare for aircraft pilots. That test has been passed.

Other areas at the airport have also been suggested. However, Sicre pointed out that FPU in considering potential locations, wanted to avoid having to remove trees.

Current proposed solar collector fields outlined in red.
Current proposed solar collector fields outlined in red.

While commissioners expressed support for the effort, they asked that the solar panels be screened from public view to the greatest extent possible. Vice Mayor Lentz, noting that the proposed locations are near the Amelia Island Parkway, asked that FPU also consider any glare problems that could result for drivers as well as pilots. Sicre said that FPU agreed with landscaping requests and also wanted to include a sign welcoming people to Fernandina Beach and citing the FPU solar project.

fpu4

Mark Cutshaw said that there have been dramatic reductions in prices for solar collectors over the past ten years. He also said that solar panels are designed to absorb solar energy, not reflect it. He said, “It makes sense to do this, and I hope we can figure out a way because it will benefit everybody.”

fpu2

Commissioner Len Kreger said that a project like this is consistent with the city’s Comprehensive Plan. He said that Florida Power and Light (FPL) has a massive solar field near Bryceville that cannot be seen from the road.

Sicre said that FPU has made a similar presentation to the Airport Advisory Commission (AAC). Vice Mayor Lentz said that she has received several calls from AAC members suggesting additional locations. She advised Sicre to work with the AAC, the city and the city’s airport consultant in evaluating the various options. Sicre agreed to do so.

Commissioner Tim Poynter said that he would like to see an actual plan as the next step that would show the final location and the financial picture for the city’s consideration. Sicre agreed, requesting at this time permission to begin talks with city officials on a potential lease so that the operation might be up and running by the end of 2016.

AAC Vice Chair Sam Lane
AAC Vice Chair Sam Lane

AAC Vice Chair Sam Lane reminded commissioners that the airport needs to keep the closed runway free for special events that draw more private planes to the airport. Lane added that in considering sites, the city needs to decide whether it wants to hide the project or show off that it is a green city. He asked the FBCC to consider sharing any revenue received with the airport enterprise fund.

Mayor Johnny Miller said that this project has generated a lot of excitement on social media. He said that the consensus of the FBCC was to move the project forward in the planning stage.

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

13 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago

If the project is located on airport property, I thought that it was a requirement that the revenue from the lease be given to the airport enterprise fund and not the general operating fund.

Robin Lentz
Robin Lentz(@marathonrobinyahoo-com)
8 years ago

Dave- I’m not sure where you read that the income from the proposed solar project would go anywhere but the airport fund? FAA requires the money be put back into the airport, and to my knowledge, that is the intent.

Sam Lane
Sam Lane(@samlaneaol-com)
8 years ago
Reply to  Robin Lentz

Money from the lease of airport land for the solar farm would go to the airport account, but not all the land proposed for the solar farm is on airport property.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago
Reply to  Robin Lentz

Robin,
Thanks for your note. Here is where the misunderstanding on my part came from: “The city would realize additional income from a lease agreement and property taxes.” I read that literally as funds going into the general fund as opposed to the airport enterprise fund.

John Goshco
John Goshco (@guest_46194)
8 years ago

Ok – The “airport” gets some lease revenue and FB gets a little lease and property tax revenue. How (and how much) does that decrease the average citizen’s monthly electric bill? The City’s revenue is guaranteed. Our electric bill savings are speculative. More details please.

If FB really wanted to maximize revenue they could sell the airport to developers and reap the long-term, increased property taxes from residential and commercial development.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago
Reply to  John Goshco

John,
You clearly don’t have an understanding of what the costs would be, both in hard dollars of repaying grant monies or in the soft dollar cost of the corporate and tourism business that our general aviation airport brings in to both the City and Island’s economy.
As to the impact on electric bills, you are right there is no guarantee. The expectation is that the energy produced from the solar farm will reduce the amount of energy that FPU has to purchase from JEA and should the production costs of the solar program be lower than the JEA acquisition costs, then FPU should be able to lower (don’t hold your breath) or at least delay any rate increase.

Vince Cavallo
Vince Cavallo(@grandvin)
8 years ago

How unusual to see the airport mentioned in the same sentence with some kind of “free money” for the airport. (Mr. McGill has pointed out that the desire for grant money was the prime motivator for airport projects). This project is predicated on the application of the investment tax credit for solar. It may be extended in the omnibus bill before congress today but if not, the rate declines from 30% to 10% in 2017. So, watch for the jets to be lit for getting this done quickly.

Meanwhile there are a few questions that need be addressed. How reasonable is it to expect the net output in MW utilization? Is that rate guaranteed? Who sustains costs if either the utilization rate is not met or if operational costs exceed estimates? The rate payers!

There is no set total capital cost amount. The floor estimate is $5 million. What is the upper range? This is important because whatever the capital costs total, they will be a fixed depreciation charge over the useful life of the project. This is important because cost of electric generation must be compared to the cost of purchased power from JEA.

I notice that most utility solar generation projects are located in arid areas. I believe this has something to do with solar power being derived from that ball of fire in the sky. Is the MW generation based on atmospheric conditions prevalent in this area or is it based on optimum conditions?

The city decided it needed a welcome center capable of surviving a category 5 hurricane. Will these panels be built to the same exacting specifications?

I am not an engineer so I hope the city has the foresight to get an engineering review from independant experts who do not have a stake in the outcome of the proposal.

I cannot wait to view this on my travels up the Parkway or coming onto the Island. Perhaps the billboard announcing the project will shield the panels, who knows.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago
Reply to  Vince Cavallo

Great points Vince.

Kris Stadelman
Kris Stadelman (@guest_46219)
8 years ago

Seems like a very “forward looking” project and a nice addition to the airport’s presence. Also happy to see it won’t interfere with the Amelia Island Vintage Gran Prix that we expect will become a huge draw for the island in the next five years.

Tom Dolan
Tom Dolan (@guest_46221)
8 years ago

It is inaccurate to say that this kind of solar project delivers electricity at a lower cost. You may get some Kw’s on you bill for a few cents less, but you are ignoring the 30% subsidy from the federal government that you paid with your income tax.

They must think we are pretty stupid. If you are convinced you need to do this for Global Warming – then come out and say it. But to assert that this is in any way economically efficient is absurd.

Robert Prager
Robert Prager (@guest_46250)
8 years ago
Reply to  Tom Dolan

The federal government is subsidizing or has subsidized many major changes including petroleum, coal, nuclear, hydro-electric, railroads, highways, harbors, airports, etc. Solar is only one of many changes that benefit us all over the long term. It is an investment. Federal subsidies have helped industries become established and make this nation strong.

Randy McGee
Randy McGee (@guest_46224)
8 years ago

Please save the taxpayers from having to spend wasted dollars because the solar panels were not properly installed..
https://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201512.pdf

Robert Warner
Robert Warner (@guest_46291)
8 years ago

Please save the “taxpayer” from any contribution to progress.