The Willows City Council on Feb. 25 authorized the city manager to execute power purchase agreements (PPAs) with RP Willows Solar 2 LLC and RP Willows Solar 3 LLC to install roof-mounted solar systems at the Willows Civic Center and Willows Firehouse, and approved a site letter with TriNary Energy to reimburse roof-replacement costs.

Council members said outstanding technical questions had been addressed before the vote and that expected lifetime cost savings supported moving forward. City staff told the council the PPA language had been revised after earlier review to limit the city’s interconnection cost exposure, refine the degradation factor, add hazardous-waste language for solar components and add a reimbursement timeline for the roof replacement site letter.

Mayor Hudson and members of the council said the arrangements — while not the same as direct purchase — offered net savings over the 25-year contract term and also secured a new roof for a building the council said needs one. TriNary Energy (the developer) confirmed subcontractors had inspected the Civic Center and Firehouse roofs to inform the final plans and specifications; staff said the site letter date in the packet would be corrected before execution.

The motion to authorize the city manager to execute the PPAs and the site letter passed on a roll-call vote, 5-0.

Council members who spoke during the item emphasized the importance of clear contract language on system degradation and interconnection costs. Vice Mayor Thomas and Council Member Hanson said they were satisfied with the final contract as presented and with the added roof-replacement protections. Staff noted a structural assessment of the library ceiling (a separate facility issue) had not altered the PPA scope but that subcontractors were advised to avoid walking on the damaged portion of that roof during inspections.

The council directed the city manager to finalize the corrected site letter and execute the PPAs and site letter consistent with the redlined changes in the packet.

Votes at a glance: The PPA motion was moved and seconded during the Feb. 25 meeting and approved on a roll-call vote of 5-0 (ayes: Council member Busby; Council member Pride; Council member Hanson; Vice Mayor Thomas; Mayor Hudson).

The city clerk will record the executed agreements and updated site letter in the contract file once signed.