By Scott Harvey
– Texas Comptroller Susan Combs Tuesday announced 32 statewide renewable energy projects that have been selected to receive a first round of federal stimulus grants.
Approximately $32 million will go to cities, school districts, colleges and universities and other local and state government entities. More project applications are currently under review.
Recipients will use the grants to install renewable energy infrastructure at public facilities to generate electricity at those sites, reduce utility costs and save tax dollars. The projects will also increase the amount of installed renewable energy in Texas, which would reduce the demand on power plants and cut emissions from the plants.
Locally, Hopkins County will be awarded $827,883, with a $354,079 match for a $1,181,965 total. The funds will be used to install a 187 kW grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the County's Regional Civic Center.
The annual projected system production is 265,684 kWh and the projected monthly kWh production is 22,140kWh. The projected percent of usage offset by the solar PV system is 41%.