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Committee hears proposal to install solar arrays at six elementary schools
Summary
Consultants presented a proposal to install roughly 1 MW of rooftop solar across six elementary schools, described estimated year‑one production (~$232,400 value), and outlined tax‑credit and financing options; staff will return with cash‑vs‑finance comparisons and plans for board consideration.
Consultants from Upper 90 and a tax‑credit advisory firm presented a multi‑site solar proposal to the Wauwatosa School District Finance & Resource Committee on July 17, outlining estimated energy production, incentive eligibility and financing scenarios.
The presentation, introduced by Mario Melanzi of Upper 90, covered system sizing for six elementary schools and the utility context that makes the project feasible. "We looked at six buildings that together are a little bit over 1 megawatt," Melanzi said, and showed per‑school sizing and estimated offsets (for example, one school’s proposed array would offset about 71% of its annual electricity use). The consultants estimated the combined year‑one production value of the six systems at roughly $232,400.
Why it matters: consultants said Wisconsin’s regulated utility environment and We Energies’ favorable net‑metering rules make larger arrays more valuable because surplus generation within a billing month is credited at retail rates. The team also walked the committee through available rebates and a federal investment tax credit that must be "placed in service" by Dec. 31, 2027 to qualify.
On tax credits and timing, Doug of WhipFleet described the tax‑filing process and potential credit levels. "At the end of the day, we could be eligible for up to 60%," he said, explaining a 30% base credit plus adders for location, domestic content and low‑income mapping. The consultants cautioned the adders are application‑dependent and not guaranteed; they said eligibility and documentation requirements will drive schedule and cash‑flow planning.
Financing and next steps: consultants presented two broad approaches — pay cash from fund balance or use an equipment lease — and illustrated a 15‑year lease example with early reamortization after tax credits. Under the modeled scenario, a reamortized lease could produce a positive net cash flow by year two. Staff told the committee the six schools were chosen primarily because of roof age; Washington Elementary was excluded due to structural and on‑roof equipment constraints.
Committee direction: members asked for a comparison showing the district‑level budget impacts of paying cash versus financing, including timing of savings and any contingent exposure while tax credits are processed. Staff agreed to return with refined per‑building cash‑flow models and a recommended sequence for board consideration; the committee discussed an initial presentation in August and possible board action in September.
Funding and procurement notes: consultants warned against "double dipping" (combining tax‑exempt financing with full tax‑credit capture) and said documentation for domestic content and other adders can be cumbersome; they offered to work with the district’s auditors to fortify an application. The committee did not take a final vote but gave staff direction to develop detailed scenarios and bring options back for full board review.
