Siemens Energy outlined a revamped proposal this month to supply village of Fredonia government properties with solar energy.

The most notable change to the plan, originally proposed in 2022, is the location of the solar panels. Instead of village-owned property on Glasgow Road in the town of Pomfret, a solar panel array would now go up at the village wastewater treatment plant property on Route 5 in the town of Dunkirk.

“I think the location is a little bit better fit for what we’re trying to accomplish, and economically… the financials are a little better as well,” said Siemens’ John Parch, during a presentation at last week’s Fredonia Board of Trustees meeting. “The location kind of added a little sizzle to the economics.”

The project would cost nothing for Fredonia up-front, and the village would get a financial benefit as host site that’s estimated at between $25,000 and $34,000 per year.

The project would be developed by Siemens and Calibrant Energy would build, own, and maintain it for a 25-year term. Calibrant is a partnership between Siemens and financial services company Macquarie Group.

Power produced at the site would be metered and injected into the National Grid system, and Fredonia government-owned buildings would get energy credits based on the meter readings.

After the 25-year period, Siemens will offer to take the solar panels down and decommission the system if Fredonia officials desire it. The system is expected to produce nearly 1.9 million kilowatt hours per year on about four of the treatment plant’s 17 acres.

Siemens is planning a $4,500 annual lease payment to the village, and $5,700 yearly to it under a Payment In Lieu of Taxes agreement. Those payouts were added to the proposal after the original Glasgow Road plan was released and rejected.

Parch acknowledged that much of the deal is dependent on National Grid’s ability to connect with the new solar farm relatively cheaply.

The solar farm could be ready to open by August 2024, if the village quickly agrees to go through with the deal.