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Board approves pursuit of expanded BCI rooftop solar project under state grant
Summary
The Stewartville Public School District board voted unanimously to pursue a larger BCI rooftop solar project using the state "Solar for Schools" grant and available federal tax credits. Administrators said the combined system would be near 300 kW DC, cost roughly $600,000, and reduce district energy costs with an estimated 3–5 year simple payback;
The Stewartville Public School District board on a 6–0 vote approved moving forward with a grant application and planning for an expanded rooftop solar system at BCI.
Administrators said the proposal would add about 265 kilowatts (kW) DC to the district’s existing 49.6 kW DC array, producing a combined system near 300 kW DC while staying under roughly 250 kW AC to avoid additional utility fees. Staff estimated the total project cost at about $600,000, with the state grant covering approximately half and a 30 percent federal tax credit reducing the district’s remaining share to about $120,000. The presenters said the district’s earlier phase cost $148,001.57 (panels roughly $113,000 and roof-seam repairs described as $3,536), state grant support covered most costs, and early energy savings had already exceeded costs for that phase.
Presenters advised trustees the federal tax-credit timeline requires projects to be started by July 4, 2026, and completed in 2027 to qualify under current rules. They also noted a new federal procurement rule referred to in the presentation as restrictions related to “foreign entities of concern,” which could affect allowable equipment sourced from certain international suppliers; presenters proposed specifying compliant panel and inverter suppliers for the new work.
During discussion, trustees and staff reviewed capital-funding options for the district portion (one-time capital payment versus phased replenishment of capital), maintenance and inverter-replacement planning, and conservative 30-year cash-flow modeling that assumed some maintenance, inverter replacement and decommissioning costs. Staff estimated a 3–5 year simple payback and a conservative 30-year net savings of roughly $800,000 assuming modest utility-rate escalation.
Motion and vote: Board Member Kiefer moved to approve pursuing the BCI Solar for Schools grant application and subsequent planning and bidding; Board Member Ravenhorse seconded. The motion carried 6–0.
Next steps described by staff: submit the full grant application, complete bidding because the project exceeds informal purchasing thresholds, award a vendor, and schedule work. Staff said final project sizing may be refined using interval energy data before the full application and bidding process.
District officials emphasized choices about where to charge the district share (operating capital vs. one-time capital) would be decided at the time of the district’s capital expenditures approval.
