For the city of Sedona, it’s a win-win situation — helping the environment while saving a few bucks in the process. 

By a unanimous vote, the Sedona City Council approved an agreement with APS through its Solar Communities Program program. This provides installation of a solar photovoltaic system at City Hall with no installation or maintenance costs to the city. Solar panels will be placed on new, soon-to-be constructed carports. 

“We have an exciting opportunity, through APS, that’s very much aligned with our Community Plan’s environmental goals,” said McKenzie Jones, the city’s sustainability coordinator. 

The city will need to demolish the existing carports, which is estimated to cost $40,000, while APS will construct new metal carports covering an addi­tional 15 spaces. 

To install a solar photo­voltaic system on covered parking at City Hall, Jones said the following will occur: 

• An easement of the City Hall property under the carports must be granted to APS for the purpose of installation, operation and maintenance of the solar photovoltaic system. 
• APS will contract with Harmon Electric to demolish existing carports, construct new and addi­tional carports, and install solar panels on new carports. The city is responsible for the cost of demolishing the carports. 
• APS will own, install, operate and maintain an approximately 150 kilo­watt alternating current solar photovol­taic system on top of the carports on city property for 20 years. 
• APS will pay all costs associ­ated with installation, ownership, operation and maintenance of the solar photovoltaic system. 
• APS will install dark-sky compliant lighting fixtures attached to covered parking structures and main­tain the fixtures for three years. 
• Renewable electricity generated will be delivered to the electric grid. 
• The city will receive a monthly incentive of $375 applied to the electric bill.
• Either APS or the city of Sedona may terminate this agreement with 90-day notice. Upon termination, APS will remove the solar array at its cost. 

Now that the project has been approved, Harmon Electric will begin phased demolition of the existing carports on Monday, Nov. 18, with the goal of completing the carport construction and solar installation by the middle of January.