School board approves solar provider

Tuesday’s school board meeting was chock full of forward thinking news and information, first and foremost the unanimous selection of Sacramento-based solar contractor Roebbelen/Emard for the bond-funded solar energy project.

Project architects Quattrocchi Kwok Architects laid out the extensive plan and the reasons for choosing Roebblen/Emard.

“We held a very competitive selection process and examined each bid at length,” said Aaron Jobson of QKA. “Our selection criteria took into consideration everything from cost, experience with similar projects and the financial strength of the contractor to whether or not the company would hire a local work force and use American made equipment.”

QKA received bids from five companies and narrowed the interview process down to three. While Roebbelen/Emard did submit the lowest bid at $9,609,909, Jobson was quick to point out that they did not win the project on price alone.

“Roebbelen/Emard offered the best solution over all and the best value for the district,” said Jobson. In terms of financial longevity and long-term viability, Roebbelen/Emard has been in business for more than 50 years – a prime consideration as the solar installation’s output is guaranteed for a ten-year period. Additionally, they have extensive experience managing not just school projects but multi-site projects as well. Another plus: they are negotiating with the district to hire at least 50 percent of the workforce locally, a potential boon for the Valley’s economy.

The solar installation is expected to offset 96 percent of the district’s collective energy use, amounting to $750,000 in California Solar Initiative rebates for each of the first five years. On top of that, the district expects to save an additional $500,000 in energy costs – all money that will go directly back into the general fund. Over the course of five years, the savings are estimated to be in the neighborhood of $26 million.

On an environmentally friendly note, going solar will keep 54,207,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the Earth’s atmosphere over the course of the next five years.

Construction is expected to start as early as this spring.