Saline County approves $124,847 solar contract for Senior Center; tax credit could cut net cost to about $74,908

Deputy County Administrator Hannah Bet told the commission that a utilities analysis showed installing solar panels on the senior center could save roughly $13,000 a month in electricity and about $316,000 over 30 years. "Hutton has their proposal, indicates that an initial investment of $124,847 is what it would cost for the installation of solar panels on the senior center," Bet said.

Bet said the county received two vendor estimates. Schneider Electric provided an informal estimate of about $250,000 but did not submit a formal cost proposal; Hutton provided the formal $124,847 proposal and indicated panels were available on hand. Bet explained that if the project is contracted and installed before the end of the year, the county could claim an investment tax credit estimated at about $49,000, bringing the net project cost to roughly $74,908.

Commissioners asked about panel lifespan, hail vulnerability and insurance. Bet said panels have an average lifespan of about 30 years (sometimes up to 40) but are not guaranteed for the full period; panels can be damaged by hail. Staff said damage would be covered under the county insurance umbrella and be subject to facility-specific deductibles.

Bet said funding would come from the county capital improvement fund, which has an available balance in the millions and can absorb the project cost. A commissioner moved to approve RFA 2025-173 to sign a contract with Hutton for the project; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.

Staff did not present an itemized lifecycle maintenance projection in the meeting record; commissioners requested clarification on insurance deductible effects and long-term maintenance costs before construction.