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City seeks quick contract for regional solar farm to capture $3.5M IRA benefit
Summary
Staff outlined a regional solar farm at the Metro wastewater plant, told the committee a June 9 council contract is key to capturing an estimated $3.5M Inflation Reduction Act tax benefit, and said the array would produce about 1.5–1.6 MW AC with project costs of roughly $8.5–9M before grants.
City staff presented plans for a regional solar farm at the Metro wastewater treatment plant and urged the committee to support moving a contract to the June 9 City Council agenda to preserve a time‑sensitive tax incentive.
Clint (staff) described the site near Bluff Road and Interstate 77 and said the city has approached nearby districts and utilities to buy capacity so the facility could function regionally. He outlined the project economics: grants from the Climate Pollution Reduction opportunity plus tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act reduce the city’s net exposure. "If we spend money 5% of the project value by July 1, then we can take advantage of the Inflation Reduction act tax rebate... This is over $3 million, about $3.5 million of benefit that we really need to take into advantage of," he said.
Staff estimated the array would deliver about 1.5–1.6 megawatts AC (roughly 2 MW DC) with room to expand onto adjacent vacant land. The total project cost was described as about $8.5–9 million, which staff said could translate to roughly $2.1 million net city investment after grants and incentives if the grants and tax credits are secured.
Officials flagged a potential bid protest that could delay procurement and put the IRA timing at risk; staff said they had assurances from the contractor that pre‑purchase of materials would allow the city to meet the July 1 spending threshold. Staff said they are targeting construction to begin in the fall with a grid tie expected in late 2027.
The committee did not vote on the contract at this meeting but was told council will likely see the item on June 9, and staff asked for the committee’s support in moving the contract forward to capture the incentive opportunity.
