Brentwood board says $200,000 solar tax-credit filing submitted; dashboard now shows production

The Brentwood School Board was told the district completed the first phase of the federal tax-credit process for its new solar arrays and has set up a production dashboard to track energy output.

Molly, speaking during the central office report, said the district “got the application number and then we were able to use that and fill out the tax returns,” and that the returns “were mailed to the IRS on April 10.” She added the district has not yet received a response from the IRS about the returns.

The update matters because the tax-credit reimbursement is one of the financial benefits tied to the solar project; staff described the rebate amount as “just shy of $200,000.” Board members asked staff to continue checking with the IRS and to share any contacts who have been helpful; Molly said the district will keep following up by email because phone support has been limited.

Separately, staff demonstrated a Barrington Power dashboard that shows hour‑by‑hour and year‑to‑date generation, inverter activity, and weather projections. Molly said the dashboard will let the district present summaries and slide shows to the public: “You would be surprised. I was surprised about how much is being produced.” Board members asked for monthly summaries that compare kilowatt‑hours produced to kilowatt‑hours used so the district can quantify net metering and budgetary impacts.

The board did not take a formal vote on the solar dashboard at this meeting. Staff said they will prepare recurring reports for future board meetings, including a plan to compare electricity bills year‑over‑year and to project savings when the district develops budget assumptions.

Staff also noted they will add Solar as a standing agenda item so the board can receive regular production and financial updates going forward.