Suffolk solar-field contract goes to Calif. firm

Suffolk has chosen a California company to convert five county-owned parcels into solar energy fields to provide power for the county jail, police headquarters and other county buildings.

The county on Nov. 12 awarded San Mateo-based SolarCity the right to build solar farms at the sites, which total 130 acres. Three are next to county buildings in Yaphank, another abuts a homeless shelter in North Bellport and the fifth is on the roof of the Riverhead County Center in Riverside.

Officials said the sites will produce a combined 13.5 megawatts of power, and will produce more than $1 million a year in energy cost savings. A megawatt powers about 800 homes.

"This project will save taxpayers millions of dollars, create renewable energy and protect the environment," Deputy County Executive Jon Schneider said. "It's a big win for Suffolk County taxpayers."

The projects also would require clearing of 44 acres of woods, SolarCity officials said, and county lawmakers and environmentalists have raised concerns about the loss of so much forested land.

"I'm not opposed to solar projects. The major issue is cutting down trees to do it," said Legis. Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) at a legislative hearing on Thursday.

Brenda Prusinowski, the Town of Brookhaven's chief deputy commissioner for planning, environment and land management, said the plan doesn't conform with standards adopted by the Suffolk County Planning Commission for solar arrays.

Commercial solar fields that sprouted up on farmland in Brookhaven and Riverhead prompted the county Planning Commission in May to develop guidelines for large solar proposals, including a recommendation that the fewest number of trees possible be cut.

Peter Gollon, energy chairman of the Long Island Sierra Club, said, "We do need large-scale solar -- the question is where. It's certainly better to build on an already disturbed site than a treed site."

Schneider said the environmental benefits of the plan outweigh such concerns.

Lisa Broughton, Suffolk County energy director, said the county already has placed solar panels on carports in all usable county parking lots. Many rooftops on county buildings don't work for solar energy because they are in need of repair or contain cell towers, Broughton said.

She said the county tried to find other, nonforested sites but that the chosen locations were the most appropriate.

She said the SolarCity proposal will require a contract negotiated with the county, along with environmental reviews and legislative approval. The goal is to "plug in" to the electrical grid by December 2016 to take advantage of expiring federal tax credits, Broughton said.

Browning, whose district includes four of the proposed sites, said County Executive Steve Bellone's administration should have told lawmakers about the potential sites in April, when the county first identified them. Browning introduced legislation to block three of the sites, but the measure failed to make it out of the Ways and Means Committee last week.

Democrats on the committee said the administration should have been more forthcoming with Browning, but didn't want to stop the projects now.

"I don't want to have punitive legislation because of a lack of communication," said Legis. William Spencer (D-Centerport).

By David M. Schwartz

dschwar1@newsday.comschwartznewsNY

David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.