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District to pursue PA Solar grants: solar arrays proposed at Fayetteville and Scotland elementaries
Summary
The board heard staff's presentation about two PA Solar for Schools grants and a contract to install rooftop and ground-mounted arrays at Fayetteville and Scotland elementaries; staff said net district cost after federal and state incentives would be about $426,000 and estimated lifetime energy savings of about $3.7 million over 30 years.
District facilities staff told the board the Chambersburg Area School District was awarded PA Solar for Schools grants and proposed contracting with CM3 Building Solutions to install solar energy systems at Fayetteville and Scotland elementaries.
"The total system installation costs are estimated at just over $1.5 million," said Matt Verner, who presented the item. Verner said the package of incentives and rebates would substantially reduce the district's net cost: "The investment tax credit through the federal government is about $469,000. The PA solar for schools grant is about $625,000. We have a $43,000 utility rebate. So the total net project cost for Chambersburg Area School District is about $426,000," he said.
Verner said Scotland's installation would be rooftop-only while Fayetteville would use a combination of rooftop and ground-mounted arrays because site geometry and roof orientation limit rooftop production at Fayetteville. He said the project is performance-based and that the contractor will monitor production and guarantee benchmarks; monitoring is included for the first three years as part of the operations and maintenance package.
Board members asked about expected savings and operations. Verner said projected energy savings in the district's analysis are roughly $3.7 million over a 30-year period, using current electricity-price assumptions and factoring in modest price escalation and equipment degradation. He also said the district could elect to take over operations and maintenance after the initial contract period or continue to purchase O&M from the contractor.
During public comment John Jordan told the board he considered the project a "no brainer" and urged support.
The solar item was presented for inclusion on the board's upcoming consent agenda; board members were scheduled to vote on the consent package at the district's next voting meeting, not at the current meeting.
