Board approves Saratoga High solar change orders after cost increases tied to design, ADA and EV rules

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District board approved change orders and a cash‑flow analysis for two Saratoga High School solar carport projects, voting 5‑0 to allow the work to proceed while staff return with details on electric‑vehicle charger placement and use. President Chen convened the decision during the Aug. 7 meeting after a presentation from district staff and Centrica Business Solutions.

Why it matters: The projects must be energized by next spring to qualify for the more favorable net‑metering 2 (NEM2) treatment from the California Public Utilities Commission; otherwise the district would be subject to NEM3 rates that return far less value for exported energy. Cost increases tied to redesign and code requirements have pushed the projects’ power purchase agreement rates higher, affecting payback expectations and annual cash flows.

District staff said the projects were originally approved in September 2024 and have moved forward at Saratoga faster than the Los Gatos site. Patrick, a district project lead, told the board that the “only…