The City of Sarnia will consider entering into rooftop solar power project agreements with Bluewater Power during its meeting Monday.
Two options are on the table for council to decide.
The city could purchase the system through a "traditional investment" on its own, or take the "no money down" approach and let Bluewater Power take care of the maintenance and risks.
Mayor Mike Bradley says the second approach will appear on financial statements as debt.
"My concern is not the amount of money, it's the message it sends. Once you sip from that cup, you'll be back to it again and again as a council," he says.
"I think we should take the other approach, we do have a reserve we can draw from. Go ahead with the project, but don't take on debt to do it."
Over the past 12 years, the city has reduced its debt load from over $97-million to less than $20-million.
Bluewater Power has narrowed down 14 potential sites for the solar panel projects to include both the Sarnia Harbour and Bluewater Gymnastics Building.
