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CHSD 94 board approves $3.2 million rooftop solar contract with Allied Facility Partners
Summary
The Community High School District 94 board approved a $3.2 million guaranteed energy‑savings contract with Allied Facility Partners to install rooftop solar, citing roughly $2.6 million in estimated incentives, an expected payback of about six to seven years and first‑year savings of roughly $95,000.
The Community High School District 94 Board of Education voted to approve a guaranteed energy‑savings contract with Allied Facility Partners to install rooftop solar on district buildings at a project cost of $3,200,000.
Administration told the board the system is sized to offset about 15–20% of the district’s annual electricity usage and that currently available incentives—federal ITC direct pay, the Illinois Shines program and ComEd smart‑inverter rebates—were estimated in the presentation to return roughly $2.6 million to the district. Officials projected first‑year operational savings of about $95,000 and estimated a break‑even horizon of about six to seven years, with system life expected to continue 25–30 years beyond installation.
The board’s discussion covered contract protections, incentive risk and warranties. District staff said Allied will manage the project as a turnkey contractor (bidding, subcontractor oversight, construction and commissioning) and will assist with rebate submissions. The administration emphasized the system will be grid‑tied (not battery‑backed), so production will typically serve on‑site load and any excess during low‑occupancy periods may generate bill credits under Illinois net metering rules.
Trustees pressed administration on the risk that federal or state incentives could change before the project begins. Administration and counsel said the contract’s guaranteed‑savings language is structured around the contract price and includes a vendor payback mechanism if performance metrics are missed. District counsel confirmed he had reviewed the contract and described the agreement as being structured under Article 19b of the School Code as a guaranteed energy‑savings contract.
Board members also asked about insurance, monitoring and maintenance. Administration said Allied offered a five‑year workmanship warranty, manufacturers supply long‑term panel and inverter warranties (product warranties cited), Allied will provide staff training and the district’s emergency generator will remain the backup when grid power is lost.
The board approved the motion on roll call (six yes, one no). The administration said it would need an initial 10% payment by July 4 to secure current federal ITC eligibility and that construction would likely begin after the following school year ended.
