By Nick Worth
The Navajo County Complex in Holbrook is about to get a new power source with the installation of solar panels on the complex grounds.
The ground-mounted solar array has been under construction since early last month, and is expected to provide approximately 55 percent of the Holbrook Complex’s energy needs. The array of silicon solar cells will deliver clean, renewable energy to the complex and also to the Adult Detention Facility.
SolarCity was awarded a 15-year power purchase agreement calling for Navajo County to purchase the solar-generated electricity at $.05 per kilowatt hour (kWh). The county currently pays $.083 per kWh.
“We see it as a great way to save operational money now and for the next 15 years,” said County Manager Jimmy Jayne. “We’ll be saving over three cents per kilowatt hour.
“The public works, facilities management and finance teams all did a great job in finding the opportunity and the best way to put this in place,” Jayne said.
According to a note to the Board of Supervisors issued by Jayne, SolarCity expects to complete the instal-lation of the panels by Oct. 12. The company will also coordinate the activation of the arrays with Arizona Public Service Co. and the facilities management team at the county complex.
Photo by Nick Worth
Sean Buchta (left) and Zac Abeyta assemble some of the 450 mounting poles that will hold an array of solar cells at the Navajo County Complex in Holbrook. The array is located behind the Probation De-partment building, and will provide approximately 55 percent of the complex’s power needs.
