Mayor Mark Mallory has announced a new solar energy system will be installed at the College Hill Recreation Center. The solar panels will generate 154 kilowatts of energy and is being installed at no cost to the City.

The Sun Team is paying for the $500,000 solar system, and the City will agree to purchase energy generated from the system at rates that start out equivalent to current energy prices, and remain low and fixed for 20 years.

“We continue to green Cincinnati,” Mayor Mark Mallory said. “This project is another statement of our commitment to a Green Cincinnati and clean energy future. The new solar panel system will save the City money on energy costs, reduce pollution and create jobs by constructing new infrastructure.” The announcement is the first phase of a Solar Power Purchase Agreement that the City is signing with the Sun Team, a partnership between Solar Power and Light, LLC, Dovetail Solar, and Tremco Roofing & Building Maintenance.

Neil Chaudhry, CEO of Solar Power & Light stated, "SP&L is dedicated to bringing clean energy jobs, new technologies, and innovations to Ohio while helping to protect the environment and achieve energy independence. This renewable energy project will create energy savings for the city's taxpayers and support solar jobs in Ohio."

The SPPA envisions additional projects over the next three years that would bring the system size to more than 2 megawatts and the total investment to $8 million – all at no cost to the city.

The installation of a solar energy system at the College Hill Recreation Center will build on previous successes had by the City with the solar panels on the Duke Energy Convention Center, at Findlay Market, on the Metropolitan Sewer District building, and our largest City, solar system at Water Works, plus the Parks Department’s renewable energy program has installed solar panels at 13 different facilities.