Stamford planning board approves funding to advance solar installations at two elementary schools

Stamford — At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Stamford Planning Board approved supplemental capital appropriations totaling $485,000 to advance rooftop photovoltaic installations at Strawberry Hill and Westover elementary schools.

The board read two requests into the record: $150,000 for Strawberry Hill and $335,000 for Westover to cover construction administration, contingency and additional professional services, with construction slated to mobilize in June 2026. Catherine Moldalvo, director of school construction, said both projects were authorized in 2024 and accepted into the NRES incentive program; she also said the district was awarded state of Connecticut grants reimbursing 60% of project costs and that staff will seek Investment Tax Credit (ITC) benefits where applicable.

Those financial supports, Moldalvo told the board, reduce the district’s net exposure but do not eliminate the need for supplemental funds. She said some of the Strawberry Hill request reflects higher-than-anticipated public bid results, added construction administration and accounting services needed to pursue ITC credits, and the cost of an alternate “smartflower” display that would provide an educational, ground-level solar demonstration for students.

Brandon Mark, the district’s certified energy manager, explained the systems are planned as front-of-meter installations that will sell generation to the grid rather than net behind individual school meters. “We’ll be selling it all back,” he said, noting the board can expect a 20-year revenue term under the NRES arrangement. Mark estimated the systems would generate roughly 60% of Strawberry Hill’s energy needs and slightly more at Westover, and offered to provide exact generation-versus-use figures as a follow-up.

Moldalvo said the district will return to the building committee and to the state for final approvals before construction begins and that the supplemental authorization will enable staff to retain specialty consultants to avoid construction delays.

After questions about roof capacity, future carport options and the cost drivers behind the supplemental requests, the board voted to approve each authorization. The meeting record shows both motions passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will seek any required state adjustments to the awarded grant amounts, finalize professional services contracts and return to the building committee before mobilization in June 2026.