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RecPlex finishes 1,700‑panel rooftop solar system, projects $100,000 first‑year savings
Summary
RecPlex facilities director Brian Lubrich told the commission the village installed roughly 1,700 rooftop solar panels at a cost of $1.6 million, with estimated first‑year utility savings around $100,000 and a 30‑year projected savings of $4 million; commissioning is pending interconnection and inspections.
Brian Lubrich, director of recreation facilities, told the Pleasant Prairie Park Commission the RecPlex rooftop solar array is installed and nearing commissioning. "As of last week, the last panels went on the roof," Lubrich said, noting about "1,700 q cells" were placed, the out‑the‑door project cost was $1,600,000, and first‑year utility savings are "about a $100,000 a year." He said interconnection is scheduled for the coming week and the team is targeting a mid‑February commissioning pending final inspections.
Lubrich described the related roof work and long‑term financial outlook: phase 1 of the roof replacement was completed in September using a 90‑mil EPDM membrane to extend useful life, and the solar system carries warranties he summarized as 20 years for inverters and 30 years for panels. He gave a 30‑year utility‑savings estimate of $4,000,000 and an estimated ROI of "232% over that 30 year period," and said the system should begin positive cash flow in year nine. "No real issues throughout the process so far," Lubrich said. Staff and commissioners asked about maintenance, panel degradation and replacement costs; Lubrich said inverters commonly require replacement in years 10–15 and panels can be replaced as individual units decline in performance.
