East Buffalo Township considers solar panels to cut energy costs
May 12, 2026
The Standard-Journal
East Buffalo Township Supervisors will ask the nonprofit PA Solar Center to prepare a proposal request to install the solar panels on the township’s public works garage and municipal building.
During a supervisors meeting Monday, Board of Supervisors chair Jim Knight said that the township is aiming to save on its power costs by installing solar panels on top of the township building and public works garage, located at 589 Fairground Road.
Supervisors in April approved a study on the feasibility of the solar panel project, conducted by PA Solar Center at no cost to the township. Installing solar panels on the public works garage would cost $187,000, but would save the township $667,000 in electricity costs over 25 years.
“This is going to pay for itself in about six or seven years,” Knight said. “…It’s very attractive financially.”
If solar panels are installed on the township building, it would cost $119,000 and save $477,000 over 25 years, Knight reported.
“On a net annual basis, it would eliminate our electric bill,” Knight said. “If we reduce our consumption, we can sell that back, and that brings revenue.”
Supervisors also approved a $4,500 structural evaluation for its public works garage, which structural engineer Zach Kurtz will conduct to ensure the garage’s roof structure can support solar panels.
Township Manager Jolene Helwig questioned why the township isn’t focused on updating the municipal building’s HVAC system, which she described as “dilapidated.”
“(Heating) needs more importance than solar,” Helwig said. “I think you’re gonna see a big (cost) difference if you replace this heating system.”
Knight said the township can install solar panels and fix the HVAC system. He added that if supervisors decide to move forward with solar panels, they must be installed by the end of 2027 or it will cost more due to expiring incentives. He added that he would look into the cost of replacing the heat system.
Supervisor Tom Zorn asked for an analysis comparing the benefits of the solar project to replacing the building’s heat system.
Helwig reported that the cost of commercial driver’s license (CDL) training has increased dramatically due to new laws. The township currently requires some of its employees to hold a CDL or acquire one within six months of employment, and pays for employee training, so they can operate township vehicles that require a CDL.
“The fee used to be anywhere between $150 to $200 to get a license, and now it’s $3,600 or even more,” Helwig said.
In response, supervisors passed a CDL training policy to require employees whose training is paid for by the township to reimburse the township if they quit within the first four years of their employment.
Employees whose CDL training is paid for by the township will now be required to reimburse 100% of training costs if they leave within the first year of their employment, 75% of costs if they leave during their second year, 50% if they leave during their third year, and 25% if they leave during their fourth year.
Buffalo Valley Recreation Authority Executive Director John Rowe said the community pool will be opening soon, and he’s not yet aware of any issues that need to be fixed. Last year, the pool had leaks.
“As far as we know, everything is going to work,” Rowe said. “…We’re still in the stages of treating the water and filling the pool, so I’ll have a better update in a couple of weeks.”
Rowe said in the future, the pool will likely need “a big old overhaul of the entire pool structure, including the plumbing, concrete, bed and whole deck.”
Lewisburg Downtown Partnership Director Lynne Sobel Ragusea informed supervisors of plans for a welcome sign in an empty lot on the corner of Routes 15 and 45. Ragusea said the sign is being funded by a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant.
The project will be finished by the end of 2026, Ragusea added.