ARTICLE 35: Lease and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for Solar Power Purchase for Roof of Zeh Elementary School
To see if the Town will authorize the Select Board to lease all or a portion of the roof of Marion E. Zeh Elementary School located at 33 Howard Street for a term of 20 years, upon such terms and conditions as are acceptable to the Select Board, to solar energy providers for the purposes of constructing, maintaining, and operating a solar facility on the property and to enter into a Power Purchase Agreement with the solar energy providers; and further, to authorize the Select Board to grant an easement to National Grid and other utility companies and/or providers to install, maintain, operate, repair, reinstall, or replace any utilities required for interconnection to the solar facility project, or take any other action in relation thereto.
− The Marion E. Zeh Elementary School roof is an optimal location for a solar system. However, in order for a system to be installed the roof will need to be replaced. The Public Schools of Northborough with the support of the Select Board have submitted a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Accelerated Repair Program for a full roof replacement. If that SOI is accepted and a new roof is installed the Solar Feasibility Study Group and leadership team have identified that a new roof for the Marion E. Zeh School is a viable option. The roof replacement has been part of the Capital Plan since 2021, however, the solar proposal is new for the FY25 Capital Plan. There is no outlay for the town as the construction of the solar system is built into the 20-year PPA, which in return will be energy efficient and provide cost savings to the school at approximately $10,000 per year and would significantly reduce our carbon footprint. No funding is required to enter into a lease and PPA. However, this is contingent upon the roof replacement project being completed.
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