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Board authorizes replacement solar array, budget amendment for Juvenile Detention Facility
Summary
The board authorized a design-build contract, PG&E interconnection, a five-year operations-and-maintenance contract and a $2.58 million budget amendment for a replacement photovoltaic array at the Juvenile Detention Facility, with county staff projecting long-term net savings.
The Placer County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 4 authorized a design-build contract for a replacement photovoltaic system at the Juvenile Detention Facility, approved a PG&E interconnection agreement and a five-year operations and maintenance contract, and adopted a fiscal-year 2025'26 budget amendment of $2,583,283 to fund the project.
Brad Boulay, deputy director of general services, told the board the previous PV system had been removed earlier this year after the developer identified panel failures and that the county released an RFP for a replacement system in June. The new design will occupy the same fenced footprint but, because of advances in panel efficiency, will produce nearly three times the annual kilowatt-hours previously achieved and will provide export capacity to the adjacent animal-control facility and to the Auburn Justice Center.
The Board authorized the county to award a design-build construction contract to Coldwell Solar Inc. not to exceed $2,349,322, with a project contingency authority of $129,966 and a five-year O&M contract of $94,588 (with an optional five-year renewal up to $107,018). The board also authorized the assistant director of general services to execute the PG&E interconnection agreement subject to County Counsel and risk management concurrence.
Boulay said the county recommended a cash purchase model after reviewing bid options (cash purchase, 15-year lease-purchase, and power purchase agreement). County financial analysis presented to the Finance Committee projected cumulative 30-year net savings of more than $18 million and average annual savings over $600,000 under the cash purchase model. Staff said the county will pursue potential investment tax-credit reimbursement under the federal Inflation Reduction Act; that reimbursement, if awarded by the IRS, would improve the project return but is not guaranteed.
The board approved the actions and completed a roll-call vote recorded as unanimous.
