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District seeks feasibility study for solar canopies and electric‑bus charging; $130,000 development fee proposed
Summary
District staff presented a proposal and asked the board to authorize a letter of agreement and feasibility assessment for solar shade‑structure photovoltaic installations at multiple sites and EV charging for buses; administration cited a $130,000 fixed development fee to scope projects and potential grants/financing to cover costs.
District staff presented an energy program proposal to the Western Placer Unified School District board proposing solar photovoltaic shade canopies at several school sites and EV charging infrastructure at the transportation yard to support four incoming electric buses.
Staff said the initial step would be a feasibility study under a letter of agreement that carries a fixed development fee of $130,000. The study would assess five candidate sites, including canopies at student parking and administrative areas and charging at the transportation yard. Staff said potential financing would combine grants (federal and state) and long‑term financing repaid from projected energy and operations savings.
Jeff Skoll, introduced in the presentation as the district’s partner on the proposal, described the scope as “shade structure over a parking area” with solar generation, battery storage and vehicle charging provision. He told trustees the feasibility study would identify the best sites and pricing and that the “first step [is] to get the process started,” after which the district would return with contract details and financing terms.
Trustees and staff asked operational questions about proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, the district’s generators, and how much of annual electric use solar could offset. Staff said typical offsets would target roughly 60–90% of site usage for cost effectiveness, and that payback and savings estimates depend on exact site selection and system sizing. Staff also noted that energy management system upgrades and behavioral savings would complement solar generation.
No final contract for the project appears in the meeting record; staff requested authorization to proceed to feasibility work. The meeting transcript shows discussion and questions but does not show an executed vote approving the LOA during that agenda segment.
Why this matters: If implemented, the projects could reduce ongoing utility expenses, support electrification of transportation and provide charging for electric buses — but they require upfront development costs, grant awards and later financing agreements.
Next steps: staff said the feasibility study would return findings and a proposed contract with financing and savings validation for board review.
