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Winters Elementary solar array not reporting to building system; cable to be installed Feb. 19
Summary
District staff told the committee that Winters Elementary’s PV meter was delayed and although a utility meter was installed in June 2024 the solar telemetry was not connected to the building management system; Rossi Electric will install a missing data cable on Feb. 19 and the district will re‑evaluate output and remediation.
At the Feb. 11 meeting the committee received an update about the Winters Elementary solar installation and why the district has not been able to view solar production through its building management system (BMS).
District facilities staff said Rhode Island Energy ordered the specialized PV meter but it was backordered and not installed until June 13, 2024. Contractors and the utility initially reported the system was functioning, but district staff later discovered the PV meter data was not flowing to the BMS because a network/patch cable was not connected. Rossi Electric (the subcontractor) has been scheduled to install the missing data cable on Feb. 19; after that work the district will test visibility of generation in the BMS and reconvene the contractors and utility for a walk‑through.
Committee members asked whether the PV array has been producing electricity while not visible in the BMS and whether the district can seek credits or remediation for lost savings; facilities staff said they would investigate possible remedies or prorated compensation and report back at a follow‑up meeting scheduled after the cable installation.
District staff also acknowledged a communication lapse about the issue and agreed to provide the committee with a written update and a follow‑up meeting on Feb. 27 (the day after the planned cable work) to present monitoring results.
