Published February 26. 2016 04:00PM
The project:The proposed PA Solar Park phase II by Con Edison Development, would complete the 20-megawatt park on 133.9 acres of land in Nesquehoning.
Phases:Two.Phase I:Completed in 2013 is operated by Con Edison.Solar panels in phase I:39,600Solar panels in phase II:37,000 to 39,000.Completion for phase II:Tentatively Fall 2016.Project cost:Con Edison said the cost will be $1.9 million. Solar panels, labor, equipment and construction of phase II will be extra.Projections for the total cost of the park have ranged between $78 million and $120 million.Where electricity is going:Con Edison sells all electricity generated through the panels to PPL Electric. While it would be nice to either sell that electricity to the borough for a lower cost or for free in return for approving the project, the company is not legally able to do that. It must go through local supplier PPL.What will Nesquehoning get:Besides the one-time 1 percent transfer tax from the sale of the lands, the borough will receive an estimated $19,000 annually in property taxes.Con Edison would contribute an annual contirbution over a 20-year period if the borough forgoes the requirement for a round-the-clock staffed visitors center at the site. That amount has not yet been announced.