Newly installed solar panels in West Leechburg to help save money for borough, taxpayers

The West Leechburg Borough Building has a new look after 32 solar panels were installed on its roof.

Officials announced the new addition on Facebook. The post said the panels should offset electric use at the borough’s garage and pump station.

“Electric companies will be able to buy back energy if we get a surplus. That’ll reduce our electric bill hugely,” council President Marcia Cole said.

Councilperson Matt Grantz said the project has been discussed since March 2021. The borough received information from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs about a free solar study. He said the study analyzed the borough’s electric bills and how much it could potentially save with the installation of solar panels.

“We were told it is very uncommon, especially for such a small municipality, to be able to do this,” Grantz said.

Before electric costs went up, council found it could save roughly $25,000, he said.

No borough tax dollars were used to pay for the panels. The $63,800 bill was covered with federal funds and an old gas rights lease.

Pennsylvania-based solar contractor Solar Energy Solutions installed the panels on the garage. Officials said the panels should be ready for use in the next coming weeks as they wait for West Penn Power to upgrade the current transformer.

Grantz said the solar panels should last 30 years or more.

The proposed environmental savings were 1.3 tons of carbon dioxide offset or the equivalent of saving 380 trees, he said.

“I think everyone on council is proud to be able to do this and save taxpayer money and have that positive environmental impact in the process,” Grantz said.