Discussions about solar energy continued at last month's Quorum Court meeting, when an incoming Justice of the Peace asked for an update.
JP-Elect Steve Ward, who will represent District 4 come January, asked when McKinstry, a national energy services firm, would return to present a site testing report.
McKinstry representatives appeared before the Quorum Court in August, presenting proposals for a solar field that could provide power for all or some of the county's properties. The potential cost for the project was estimated to range between $1.9-$3.8 million, which the county could eventually earn back if they're able to sell the extra energy produced by the county's array back to the grid.
County Judge Mike Loftin agreed to allow McKinstry to begin site testing at two county-owned properties – one on Commerce Drive and another on Industrial Road – while JPs continued to consider the company's proposals.
In October, Loftin announced the project would be put out for bid, and he reminded Ward of that last month.
"Since this started and got in the newspaper, I've had several inquiries, people wanting to give quotes on this solar thing, so we're going to put it out for bids," he said. "It could be done by a sole source, but since there's been so much interest, we're going to put it out for bid."
JPs discussed the pros and cons of moving the county, fully or partially, to solar energy. District 7 JP Johnny Burson said he had some hesitancy about the long-term nature of the project.
"I've got some reservations about spending county money, tax money, today that will take 20 years to recoup," he said. "I've read and read, since we started talking about it, and I'm more on board than I was to start with, about the efficiency and some of these things lasting 50 years, but I'd like to know more about warranties and guarantees."
Loftin said that even if the county receives bids for the project, JPs don't necessarily have to go through with a solar field project. But other areas throughout the state, including in Union County, are moving toward green energy with similar long-term solar projects, he and Burson both noted.
"I noticed Little Rock, North Little Rock is looking at this. More and more people are doing it," Loftin said.
"Every federal – especially VA (Veterans Administration) – system you see is loaded down (with solar power). The VA hospitals have them, all the parking areas have them overhead," added Office of Emergency Management Director Bobby Braswell.
Burson responded, "It'd be a good idea, but it may handicap the county judge five years from now not having that money in the fund over there – we'd spend it and take 20 years to get it back."
Loftin said he's heard a few "off the cuff" quotes estimating that the county could earn its money back in as few as 11 years.
"That's the reason for putting it out for bid, and then, we don't have to accept any of them; if you decide you don't want it, we don't have to do it," he said.
Anita Seymore, an administrative assistant for the county judge's office, said on Monday that a request for proposals had not yet been issued for the solar project.
The Union County Quorum Court is next scheduled to meet this Thursday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. in the third-floor conference room at the courthouse.