New solar project coming to Bryan - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

New solar project coming to Bryan

More jobs are coming to Bryan Ohio.

Today the city broke ground on a 7.4 million dollar solar project that will sustain and add jobs in the area.

The solar array will provide stable energy rates, homegrown power and energy independence for the city.

It will produce 2.6 mega watts per year for the city.

It's one of the first in the state of Ohio.

Steve Casebere is the Director of Utilities in Bryan. He tells 13abc, "As the price of power is going up the price of solar panels has gone down and with some government programs it's made it feasible to do this kind of thing and we put all the pieces together with Rudolph Libbe and Keybank to make this happen."

Key Government Finance will lease the solar array to the city.

The city will then have the option to extend or purchase the system after the 10 year lease expires. 

Casebere tells 13abc, "Its just another small piece of our power supply that's going to stabilize rates for our customers here in Bryan. I hope that other communities and I know they are looking at it and they will probably follow suit and build things similar to this."

The project will also add 60 construction jobs and will sustain another 300 manufacturing jobs. It  will use primarily Ohio materials, contractors, and labor led by Rudolph Libbe.

Jason Slattery is the solar team leader at Rudolph Libbe. 

He tells 13abc, "It's going to do a lot for the community, Its going to allow the city of Bryan to peak shave their power its going to add about one percent of their overall power. It's a long term asset for the city of Bryan. "

The project is expected to be complete in February of 2012.