Greensburg fire station could see savings with solar panels

Greensburg Fire Department’s Truck Company No. 2 will be the first city-owned building to have solar panels installed on it.

Officials say the move will result in energy savings for the station that could spill over to other city properties.

“That is going to take care of Fire Co. 2 and then some,” fire Chief Tom Bell said.

City council on Monday approved a $135,000 agreement with Energy Independent Solutions for the engineering, purchase and installation of solar panels for the building. The project will be paid for by grant funding from the state Local Share Account, which takes a portion of Live Casino Pittsburgh’s revenue and distributes it to the state and local communities.

The North Pennsylvania Avenue building had its shingle roof replaced this year after issues with leaks, becoming the first city-owned building with a metal roof. Council approved that $480,000 project in March, which also was funded through an LSA grant.

The solar panels will be installed on the side of the roof that faces south. Councilman Greg Mertz said city officials saw the panels as an opportunity to lower costs and make sure the building would be accessible as a shelter to the public in the event of an emergency.

“We’re always looking at ways to save taxpayer dollars,” he said.

If the panels generate extra electricity as expected, that can be sold back to West Penn Power as credits on bills for other city-owned properties, Bell said. He hopes to replicate the project on the roof over the hall at Engine/Rescue Company No. 7 on East Pittsburgh Street.

“That’s my next objective,” he said.