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Shaker Heights staff report much larger rooftop solar yield after engineering review; recommends non‑domestic panels
Summary
Officials said engineering increased the planned rooftop system from 460 kW to 550 kW, raising estimated generation to about 72–77% of the service-center load, shortening payback to about 16 years; staff recommended non‑domestic panels due to cost and supply considerations.
City staff and consultants briefed Shaker Heights City Council on July 28 on progress for a rooftop solar installation at the city service center, reporting a larger-than-expected system size, stronger returns and a recommendation to use non‑domestic-sourced equipment.
Consultant Mr. Peters said a post-contract engineering review increased the planned system from roughly 460 kilowatts to about 550 kilowatts at the same contract price, a roughly 17.5% increase in generation. That increase should raise the array’s coverage of the facility’s electrical load from about 46% under the earlier design to roughly 72–77% and reduce the estimated payback period from about 19.8 years to about 16.1 years, with a projected internal return near 4.8%.
Peters said Compass Energy and the administration recommend non‑domestic panel content because of better pricing, availability and perceived long‑term supply reliability; the team will document sources and provide required procurement documentation to support tax-credit compliance. Giraffe Financial is supporting the city’s direct-pay federal tax-credit application. City staff said the roof replacement is underway and that Compass has proposed a “max roof” configuration that uses about half of the developer contingency to mount the maximum feasible array. That option requires a larger transformer (estimated $20,000–$50,000) not covered by the contractor but currently within the city’s built-in appropriation contingency of $95,000, staff said.
Public Works noted a larger transformer could be useful for future electrification of service-center equipment. Council members asked about roof access and repairability; staff said panels can be removed for roof work and that coordination between the roof contractor and solar installer is expected. No council action was required; staff said work continues on schedule and emphasized the team’s effort to secure federal tax-credit eligibility.
