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Schneider Electric pitches $3M–$10M energy-savings retrofit; city asked to consider $57,000 design phase
Summary
Schneider Electric presented a high-level business case for municipal lighting, controls and HVAC upgrades that the company says could be funded by guaranteed energy savings; staff and commissioners asked for detailed spreadsheets and a next-phase design if the city chooses to proceed.
Schneider Electric representatives on March 19 presented a high-level energy-savings proposal to Harlingen commissioners and staff, proposing two options: a focused $3 million program for lighting, controls and some HVAC work, and a broader $10 million option that would address more HVAC and higher-needs roofing areas.
Aaron Garcia (Schneider Electric, speaker 24) said the company has worked with the city "for the last 15 plus years" and that the firm would develop a design phase for a $57,000 fee if the city wants to advance. Project development engineer Ryan Wunder (speaker 13) told the commission the smaller package focuses on LED retrofits and building automation systems and that lighting retrofits typically deliver the fastest paybacks. Wunder said the team estimates roughly $100,000 in annual savings across the targeted buildings — about 23% of that portion of the city's utility spend — and described a 20-year recoup period for the smaller option if financed.
The presentation also noted nonfunctional solar panels and end-of-life equipment at several municipal sites; Wunder estimated the Loncy Hill rooftop array could be on the order of "20 to 50 kW," and staff confirmed the city pays TXU for electricity at most municipal sites. Commissioners asked for a spreadsheet showing detailed payback timelines, the city's past project experience with Schneider and clarification about which roofs or HVAC systems would be included at each budget level.
Schneider said guaranteed savings would be tracked via a resource-advisor platform and could be used to fund debt service if the city chooses to borrow. The company listed prior local-area work and proposed next steps: a design/development phase (30/60/90% design milestones) and a turnkey construction cost when the design is complete. If the city opts for the design phase, Schneider said it would return with a more detailed project scope, timelines (construction estimated at 8–12 months), and guaranteed savings metrics.
