MARTINSVILLE (WSLS 10) - Martinsville city leaders are considering a solar power agreement that would allow the city to use renewable energy.
The Federal government is offering a 30-percent tax incentive for communities who switch to green energy before December 2016.
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It's prompted Martinsville to look at several proposals and sites for the solar plant. After looking at three different sites, city leaders believe Rives Road Business Park is the best option for this first of its kind facility for the area.
The director of utilities said solar energy would lower energy costs overall and the city would save money on green energy.
"This solar project is basically just a power generation source that would be behind the city's meter, not the customers' meter, but behind the city's meter," said the city's Utilities Director Dennis Bowles. "And, in turn would lower the cost the whole sale power cost."
The solar power provider would build the site and manage the property for a 25 to 30-year term.
If city council approves the motion, plans need to be finalized by the end of this year.