February 06, 2025

Supervisors’ solar ambitions still moving forward

After another financier drops out, a third shows interest but needs documentation

By Christopher Braunschweig

Josh Clark, a renewable energy consultant of Simpleray, a solar contractor, speaks with the Jasper County Board of Supervisors during a meeting Tuesday morning at the courthouse. (Christopher Braunschweig)

Even though complications from the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the second financier in Jasper County’s solar panel installation project to pull out, the board of supervisors found out Tuesday that there is a third company interested in the idea.

Government Capital Corporation may be the new financier, replacing both Blue Flame Energy Finance and CleanCapital. The first financier, Blue Flame, dropped out because the county could not provide documentation extending roof warranties for the buildings that would be installed with solar panels.

Currently, only the roofs of the county engineering office, Koppin Building, Jasper County Community Center, Jasper County Armory Building and the new administration building to be located at the former NewCare would be equipped with photovoltaic energy systems.

Josh Clark, a renewable energy consultant of Simpleray, a solar contractor, said Government Capital Corporation has not raised its minimums and is fine to loan at $447,000. Fundamentals of the original plan still are relatively the same. Also, the rates are almost identical to the previous government lease.

“The difference being a 14-year term rather than a 20-year term,” Clark said. “As you see, the cashflow is there. The annual lease payment is, of course, more, because the term is shorter. But the positive there is there’s a greater savings over the life of the project.”

Jasper County will be finished paying the lease six years sooner. Even with the new financier, the county sees a “cash flow positive right off the bat, with no money out of pocket,” Clark said. The county is still seeing longterm savings with the solar project, too.

In order for the financier to commit to the project, Jasper County has to provide financial requirements for the application, which still have to be approved by the company. Clark said Government Capital Corporation needs two years of audited financials, interim financials and current budget.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com