1. PV SOLAR PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES
For the
Plymouth Public Schools
Bob Patterson
August 30, 2010

2. Plymouth Public Schools’ PV Solar Renewable Energy Initiative
Green Community Act – MA Dept of Energy Resources – Funds PV Solar Projects for School Systems and Municipalities.
Opportunity for -
Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays for All Plymouth Schools, and
Renewable Energy Kiosks in School Lobbies & Internet Access for Staff & Students to Renewable Energy Statistics

3. Green Communities Act
New Massachusetts Legislation - Green Communities Act – SRECs
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) – 28.5 cents / kWhr
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) – for projects less than 2,000 kWe
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) – 400,000 kWe total limit on projects.
SRECs are sold to PV Solar Developer to fund PV Solar Project.
PV Solar Project Electricity – Credit Against School’s NStar Meter
Basically – Full Credit of Electric Energy & Distribution Costs on School’s Bill.
Solar Energy Industry Response to Green Community Act –
Developers willing to finance projects to get contracts.
Project implementation – months not years – lower risk to fossil/wind
Power Purchase Agreements - Long Term (15 – 20 low stable pricing
Falling costs for solar panels – from $5 - $6 / watt to $3 - $4 / watt.

4. How PV Solar Projects Impact PPS Energy Budget
PV Solar System developer sells electricity to PPS at low fixed price.
PV Solar Systems decreases NStar electricity purchase at each school by the amount of solar electricity produced.
Solar electricity purchased reduces each school’s NStar electricity monthly bill.
Difference between NStar price and PV Solar price generates savings –
Example: NStar $0.15 / kWhr less PV Solar $0.05 / kWhr - times - the 100,000 kWhrs solar electricity produced = $10,000 annual cost savings.
PPS Electricity budget saving - 11% to 15% of PPS’ $2.0 million electricity budget $210,000 to $300,000 per year for 20 years.

5. Major Benefits Zero Capital Commitment by Schools –
Project Costs – Paid up-front by developer.
Typical System Cost – PCIS - $4.5 million; Indian Brook - $1.5 million
Total PV Solar Investment - $12 million to $14 million
Low Cost Electricity – 3 to 5 Cts / kWhr vs 15 Cts / kWhr
Saves $210,000 to $300,000 per year in electricity costs.
Lifetime savings – (20 year contract) - $4 million to $6 million.
Short Project Implementation Timetable –
Commercial Operation in 4 to 6 months - not years as with wind energy.
Long Term Stable Pricing –
Price escalation as low as 1% to 2% per year.
Plymouth Schools can contract for 20 years – 10 years w/ 10 year extension.

6. Why Plymouth Schools? Majority of schools have ideal flat roofs.
Implementation & operation scheduled to allow roof replacements.
Structural integrity of roofs will be assessed
Significant project size – up to 3.0 MWe
Immediate energy cost reduction - of $210,000 to $300,000 / Yr
Funds set-aside to pay for removal & reinstallation of PV Solar panels during roof replacement out of energy cost savings.

7. Introduction W. Robert Patterson & Associates
- Assists Plymouth Public Schools (PPS) with electricity, natural gas & fuel oil contracting.
- Assists many communities & school systems with PV Solar project development.
- Assists many communities & school systems with energy contract negotiations.

8. Plymouth School System Projects
School PV System PV Solar Electric Cost Savings
Capacity Production 10 cts/kWhr
(kWe) (kWhrs) (kWhrs) $ / Yr.
Project A -
South Middle ,800 1,108, $36,200
South Elem , , $44,240
West Elem , , $31,800
Comm. Intermediate ,102,000 2,439, $110,200
Project B -
Federal Furnace , , $31,800
Cold Spring Elem , , $7,210
Indian Brook Elem , , $35,677
Nathaniel Morton , , $9,810
Manomet Elem , , $11,875
Admin Building , , $3,770
Hedge Elem , , $1,573
Total – Projects A & B 2, ,242, ,524, $324,200
Other Project Opportunities -
South HS
Pre-School -
Oak Street -

9. PPS Project Plans Project A – Project B – Other Opportunities –
South Middle, South Elementary, West Elementary & Plymouth Community Intermediate School
1.95 MWe solar capacity – $8 million to $8.8 million
Project B –
Federal Furnace, Cold Spring, Indian Brook, Nathanial Morton, Manomet, Hedge & Admin. Building.
0.893 MWe solar capacity – $3.6 million to $4.0 million
Other Opportunities –
South High School, Oak Street & Pre-School
100 to 200 kWe solar capacity –

10. Important Contracting Documents
Plymouth Public Schools – Request for Proposals
Technical Proposal with Developer Qualifications.
Payment Proposal with payment terms & conditions.
PPS Power Purchase Agreement –
Sets the Terms and Conditions of the PPS price of electricity.
PPS Facility Lease Agreement –
Stipulates access to and use of School Facility Roofs.

11. Typical Flat Roof Mounted PV Solar

12. Milestones Sept 15th - Preliminary Reviews & Designs
Sept 30th - Request for Proposals Issued
Oct 15th - Vendor/Developer Site Visits
Oct 29th - Vendor/Developer Proposals Due
Nov 15th - PPS Selects Vendor/Developer
Nov 30th – Power Purchase & Facility Lease Contracts Ready for School Committee Approval

13. PPS Project Steps Note: Approval of School Committee to Proceed.
Preliminary review and design of solar panel mounting system.
Preliminary review of electrical interconnection and metering.
Issue request for proposals to qualified PV System developers.
Negotiate Power Purchase Agreements and Facility Leases.
Note: School Committee Approval of Power Purchase Agreement & Facility Leases.
Local building permits awarded & Interconnection Agreement signed.
Financial closing, PPA and Leases signed, start of construction.
Mechanical/Electrical construction completed – commercial operations start.