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Seymour authorizes non‑binding MOU with Johnson Controls for multischool solar plan
Summary
The board authorized the first selectwoman to sign a non‑binding memorandum of understanding with Johnson Controls to pursue a large school‑site solar project under Eversource’s NRES program, after debate over costs, state reimbursement eligibility and a federal subsidy timing window.
The Board of Select Persons voted to authorize the first selectwoman to enter a non‑binding memorandum of understanding with Johnson Controls Inc. to pursue a multi‑site solar project at Seymour schools under Eversource’s non‑residential energy (NRES) program.
Anthony Marciano, development manager for Johnson Controls, outlined an indicative package of canopy, rooftop and ground‑mount systems across multiple K‑12 parcels that the company estimates could total in the order of $30 million to install. Under the utility program and state school reimbursement rules discussed at the meeting, the town could receive approximately $5 million of state grant reimbursements and a projected net positive cash flow in the pro forma of roughly $500,000 per year after debt service.
Why it matters: Johnson Controls said the project’s scale could also make Seymour eligible for a federal direct‑pay investment tax credit if construction is shown to start by a procurement/work milestone before July 3; the company estimated that timing could preserve $7–8 million of federal subsidy potential. Board members pressed staff and Johnson Controls for clearer, written assumptions on costs, panel degradation, maintenance and how existing rooftop panels at Bungi School would be handled to avoid possible state clawbacks reported to be roughly $1.1–$1.2 million in one scenario.
The board debated how revenues would be managed and discussed forming a committee with board of education and finance representatives to design a restricted fund or enterprise account so proceeds could be reserved for panel replacement and school capital needs rather than flowing into the general fund.
The vote authorized a non‑binding MOU to allow Johnson Controls to begin technical work, submit interconnection applications to Eversource and pursue grant pre‑applications; the board required that final contractual terms and any binding financing agreements return for review and that the Board of Education be engaged in site‑control and facility decisions.
Next steps: staff and Johnson Controls will work on revised draft language requested by the board, provide detailed pro formas and site control documentation, and coordinate timing to preserve federal subsidy eligibility if feasible.
