Solar power for Lansdale pools can reduce operating costs and offset electricity consumption

Rows of newly installed solar panels are seen on the roof of the Borough Hall building in Lansdale Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021.

As I noted in previous reflections, over the next several months the council and I will be reviewing and considering plans to renovate and improve our swimming pools in hopes of bringing these key community assets up to modern standards. To accomplish this important investment, it is possible, perhaps even likely, that Lansdale will need to borrow against municipal bonds to finance the redevelopment.

This has been my position for as long as I have been in office If If we are going to borrow money, we need to do so in a coordinated manner with the intent of reducing the cost of purchasing electricity to help maximize the value of our municipal electricity investments. The ability to renovate and improve swimming pools through bond borrowing also opens up the opportunity to increase our solar energy development. In this way, we can achieve a dual benefit: improving community amenities while reducing long-term energy costs and promoting environmental sustainability.

As the previous considerations show, public swimming pools are a priceless community asset. They contribute to the physical and mental well-being of the community by offering a space for families to gather, children to learn to swim, and residents to engage in healthy activities. Investing in new swimming pools or modernizing existing ones will significantly improve the quality of life in our commune.

However, the financial challenge of operating these facilities, particularly in terms of energy costs, is not minor (approximately $23,000 over a five-month period). This is where solar energy integration can play a major role. By switching to solar energy, we can dramatically reduce the operating costs of our swimming pools. In practice, this may include installing solar panels on the roofs of swimming pool facilities or in nearby open spaces, which can generate clean, renewable energy.

The benefits of expanding solar energy generation go beyond direct savings. Continued investment in solar infrastructure puts our community at the forefront of green energy development and opens up all kinds of grant opportunities. It also aligns with broader state and national goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. As the city’s electricity provider, we have a unique opportunity to directly contribute to this larger effort while also creating redundancies in critical systems that will help maintain critical infrastructure during emergencies. We review our ‘energy mix’ every year and it would be fantastic to continue increasing the share of green energy as we invest in our infrastructure.

The long-term economic benefits of this approach cannot be overstated. While the initial investment in solar energy can be significant, the return on investment for a municipal electricity provider like Lansdale will be substantial. Over time, the energy savings, and especially the savings in transmission costs, will increase dramatically, freeing up tax dollars for other critical projects and services. Additionally, by demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices, our community can attract environmentally conscious businesses and residents, further spurring local economic growth.

As we consider borrowing in the form of bonds to finance the construction or renovation of public swimming pools, we should take the opportunity to include solar energy generation in or alongside this initiative. This forward-thinking approach will ultimately deliver benefits beyond the initial investment and will help create a vibrant, resilient and sustainable community that will thrive for generations.

(Mayoral Musings is a weekly column posted to North Penn Now courtesy of Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert. The views expressed are his own and are not representative of North Penn Now or Lansdale Borough.)