Town in Discussions for Solar Farm at Sondek Park Landfill

South Brunswick is considering a proposal for the township to lease about a dozen acres at the Sondek Park landfill to PSE&G for a solar power installation.

The plan would not require any financial commitment from the township, but would involve South Brunswick and PSE&G committing to a 20-year lease for the solar farm, that would pay the township in the range 3- to 5-cents per kilowatt generated. Solar firm Pro-Tech Energy, who presented the proposal to the Township Council at last week's meeting, said the agreement would net South Brunswick between $75,000 and $80,000 per year.

"This would be close to $2 million in revenue (over 20 years) the township would realize that you're not realizing now," said Pro-Tech representative John Drexinger during the meeting. 

As part of the agreement, PSE&G would assume all responsibility for the installation and maintenance of the solar panels, including cutting the grass on the solar farm land at Sondek Park. Drexinger added that South Brunswick is isolated from any risks or burdens from the project.

"PSE&G operates, builds and maintains it, what you do is collect a check," he said. 

At the conclusion of the 20-year agreement, the township would have the option to extend the agreement. Should South Brunswick decide not to extend the lease, PSE&G would then assume responsibility for removing the 2-megawatt installation and returning the land to its original state.

While council members said they were open to the proposal, there is still much work to be done examining the numbers, including sit down meetings with PSE&G to iron out the details.

"The general concept is great but the devil is in the details," said Deputy Mayor Chris Killmurray. "At the end of the day we're talking about negotiating a lease for our land, so I'd like some input from our professional staff."