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La Porte board approves moving forward with Schneider Electric proposal to study municipal solar projects
Summary
The Board of Public Works and Safety on July 22 voted to accept a single proposal from Schneider Electric and proceed with scoping for guaranteed energy-savings solar projects at city facilities; city staff said incentives could improve payback but no contract or firm cost was approved.
La Porte, Ind. — The La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety voted July 22 to accept a proposal from Schneider Electric and to proceed with scope development for potential solar installations across city facilities.
An engineering staff member told the board that only one formal proposal was received and recommended advancing the Schneider review. "It is from Schneider Electric, who did our first so solar plant as well," the staff member said.
Why it matters: Staff said the work would evaluate guaranteed energy-savings contracts for solar installations at multiple municipal sites. The city hopes to take advantage of a 30% tax incentive window for solar panels; though the city does not pay federal income tax, staff said a structured agreement could recover an equivalent incentive to lower project payback. Staff emphasized there is not yet a fixed project cost and that the board was authorizing further scoping rather than a final contract.
Board action: A motion to accept Schneider Electric's proposal and proceed with scope and contract discussions passed by voice vote. No site-level contract or budget was approved at the meeting.
Background: City facilities have previously received energy-efficiency upgrades, and staff said further steps such as rooftop or ground-mounted solar are part of long-term cost-control planning. Staff also noted Schneider Electric's supply position could allow an accelerated installation if a suitable scope is identified.
Ending: Staff will return with scopes, site analyses and any contract recommended for approval after additional review and potential incentive structuring.
