Facilities staff recommend design contract for 1 MW rooftop solar array on high school

Facilities staff presented a proposed rooftop solar project for Unionville High School at the Aug. 11 work session and recommended contracting for system design and construction administration.

Facilities director Michael Weitzel (presenting) described a proposed rooftop solar array sized to produce roughly 25% of the high school’s estimated electricity use. The presentation estimated a total project cost of approximately $1,000,000, with roughly $300,000 proposed from a Pennsylvania Solar for Schools grant and an anticipated $200,000 in IRA direct‑pay funds for tax‑exempt entities. Facilities staff said the district would fund the remaining roughly $500,000 from the long‑range facilities plan and other incentives from PECO could reduce net cost further.

The district’s payback estimates presented by staff projected about a nine‑year payback if IRA direct‑pay funds are available and about 12 years without them; staff projected roughly $1,000,000 in electrical savings over a 25‑year system life. To move the project forward, facilities recommended awarding a design contract to Practical Energy Solutions in the amount of $79,800 to produce construction drawings, interconnection coordination, bid documents and construction administration.

Board members asked about IRA eligibility timing and construction start definitions; staff said construction must begin before July 2026 under current guidance to qualify for the extended timeline to complete installations and preserve eligibility for direct payment. Facilities staff said project work would target the 2026 construction season and interconnection work that follows and that the district would require domestic content specifications in the bid to meet federal guidance.

No final contract award was recorded in the work session minutes; facilities asked the board to consider the design contract and discussed next steps and scheduling.