District 128 authorizes negotiation of 20-year solar PPA with Forefront; projected modest annual savings

The Community High School District 128 board authorized administration to finalize a 20‑year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Forefront Power to install solar panels on district roofs, pending final legal and superintendent approval. District staff presented the results of an RFP process and explained that Forefront’s PPA would let Forefront install and own the panels while the district purchases the generated electricity at a fixed rate for 20 years.

Project scale and savings: Dan (district staff) said the proposed system with Forefront is approximately a 645 kilowatt (DC) installation and estimated annual production of about 786,000 kilowatt-hours. He said the district expects to save approximately $14,000 a year on electricity at Vernon Hills under the current estimate, noting that the number is a conservative projection and actual savings could vary with weather and usage patterns.

Contractual and operational points: Administration explained key PPA features: Forefront would install, own and maintain the panels; the district would not lease the panels but would buy power at a fixed price for 20 years. Board members asked how roof replacement would be handled, whether the district would incur removal or labor costs should roofing work be necessary, and how excess generation (if any) would be managed. Dan said maintenance and removal terms are included in the agreement and that the administration will finalize protections so the district does not bear unexpected roof-repair liabilities. He also noted that the district is selecting roofs that are not expected to need replacement within their design life.

Energy accounting and procurement: A board member asked whether the district would still be the sole purchaser of the system’s output; administration responded that the district expects to be the purchaser and does not anticipate selling excess energy back to third parties under the proposed structure. The administration reported district electricity spending of roughly $500,000 at Vernon Hills and characterized the $14,000 estimate as a modest percentage savings.

Board action and next steps: The board voted to authorize the administration to sign the energy service agreements with Forefront Power pending final review by the district’s legal counsel and superintendent. Staff said additional capital planning documents (a 3–5 year projection) will be shared in a future meeting to provide broader context for this and other capital projects.

Quotes from the meeting included Dan’s technical summary: “The proposed system… is approximately a 645 kilowatt system DC” and “it would produce in 1 year approximately 786,000 kilowatt hours.”