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Arcadia Unified approves districtwide solar contract to lock in Net Energy Metering savings
Summary
The Arcadia Unified School District board voted 5‑0 Nov. 12 to authorize energy service contracts with Mesa Energy Systems (EMCOR) to install solar across 12 district sites, citing an April 15, 2026 Net Energy Metering (NEM2) deadline and projected long‑term savings.
The Arcadia Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously Nov. 12 to authorize energy service contracts with Mesa Energy Systems (EMCOR) to install solar arrays at 12 district sites.
Mia Turner, director of projects for TerraVerde Energy, told the board the plan covers 10 school sites plus the district office and maintenance yard, with an initial project cost of about $16,000,000 and projected general‑fund savings of roughly $22,000,000 over 20 years. "There'll be solar projects across 12 different district sites… and at the end of the 20 year project… there will be approximately $22,000,000 of savings to the general fund," Turner said.
Turner and staff emphasized a hard deadline tied to California's Net Energy Metering (NEM2) rules: projects must be installed by April 15, 2026, to preserve more favorable crediting. Turner said the contracts contain protections including liquidated‑damage language that assigns responsibility to the contractor for a share of the financial loss if the district misses the NEM2 deadline.
District staff said the procurement is being done under Government Code 4217, which allows selection based on qualifications rather than lowest bid for energy service contracts. Dreslin, who introduced the item, said the district will own the systems and be responsible for maintenance. "We are purchasing it. We're not leasing it… It'll be ours," he said during the discussion.
Board members asked about lifecycle costs, inverter replacement, operations and whether storage (batteries) was included; staff confirmed batteries are not part of the current contract, citing schedule risk and the need to meet the NEM2 installation deadline. The contract includes requirements for prevailing wage and apprenticeship compliance tied to IRA funds.
The board took the action on Resolution 24‑25‑13, authorizing entry into energy service contracts with Mesa Energy Systems; the motion passed 5‑0. Staff said, if the resolution is approved, site‑specific contracts and notices of award would be issued in mid‑November and work would proceed to meet the April 2026 deadline.
