NP to revisit installing solar farm

BAINBRIDGE -- The North Putnam school board met in special session Wednesday with the intention of revisiting the possibility of implementing a solar farm, but new information caused the board to table the discussion.

After several months of discussion, the board had voted against the roughly $4 million solar farm in June with a 4-3 vote.

The board sought the advice of a consultant out of California who reviewed the information presented to the board.

Andy Cooper with Johnson-Melloh previously explained to the board they could potentially become the first school in Indiana to have "net zero" energy through the use of solar panels in a five-acre area at the middle/high school.

At the June meeting, Cooper used the example that in 2014 the school paid just below $200,000 in utility costs at the middle and high school. Looking forward, the anticipated annual increase in utility rates is at least 4 percent. Based on the bond payment and rebate over the course of the first seven years, the school would basically be paying out the same in the bonds as it would be paying to the utility company. After the first 20 years is when the school would really see the biggest cost savings.

Superintendent Dan Noel explained the information from the consultant became available within the hour before the executive session began Wednesday, so the board had not had enough time to review the information to ask many questions.

Cooper said he only had minimal time to review the information as well, but noted the information received appeared to be overall positive.

He noted some of the information included in the report was not relevant in Indiana, such as the power purchase agreement. Cooper explained it is illegal in the state of Indiana for a third party to charge the school for each kilowatt hour produced because of the regulated utilities. If a solar farm is implemented, the school would get credit for each kilowatt hour generated.

In addition, Indiana does not allow a utility net energy metering program. The power company cannot credit the school less than the actual cost of the energy generated.

"In layman's terms, that means in some states they can produce power, but they only get a wholesale rate. So, if a kilowatt hour is 10 cents and the wholesale rate is 3 cents, then they only get 3 cents credit. Our net metering laws state that whatever they charge you, that's what they credit you," Cooper explained.

If the solar farm is in place, at no time would money change hands with the utility company. But the credits would be generated.

Board member Ron Spencer asked if those credits generated could expire. Cooper said only in the event the solar farm is turned off or if a new energy company were to take over in the area.

"The only other thing I would question is, it talks about making the size (of the solar farm) smaller. In California with the way the demand charges are that makes sense, but not here. We want to net zero here, and that's why we made it a little larger. We want to protect you with those extra credits. If he's saying make it smaller, that only increases that window for you having to start paying for power sooner than what we show," Cooper said.

He also noted the report suggests requesting information from other companies to gather additional bids on the solar farm. Cooper stressed the importance of the board being completely informed and taking as much time as needed to make an informed decision.

"We've had three RFPs (requests for proposal) ... and we did not have anyone turn in anything other than us," Cooper said. "We put it out for bid like he's recommending doing. We've done it three times and no one has competed against us, not to say that won't happen here."

The board went back into executive session after the special meeting to continue the discussion.

Noel said he is not sure when the board will continue the public discussion or take the plan to a vote. Although looking forward, the cost could change slightly due to the consistently changing cost of solar panels.

"There is some change because the demand for solar panels are going up. They had reserved the solar panels, and now it's going to be a different figure," Noel said.

In other business, the board:

* Discussed putting together specifications for a potential paving project at Bainbridge Elementary.

Noel had initially asked if he needed to contact local contractors to seek information on the problem areas, but the board requested the project be advertised and bids be placed.

* Approved a contract with Pepsi. High School Principal Jason Chew noted this business contract focused on a wider variety of products as well as more non-carbonated products available.

* Approved the hire of Jarrod Duff as the alternative education teacher.

* Approved the resignation of Nathan Martindale as high school social studies teacher.

* Approved the hire of Daniel Smith as seasonal maintenance worker.

* Approved the following athletic hires: John Allen as high school boys' assistant basketball coach; Barry Arnold as high school boys' head track coach; Mick Buchanan as boys' assistant soccer coach; Alyssa Chew as middle school girls' head track coach; Travis Franklin as high school boys' assistant basketball coach; Greg Frieje as middle/high school assistant wrestling coach; Julie Gibson as middle school head volleyball coach; Kevin Greene as middle school assistant football coach; Marietta Hauk as high school concessions manager; Richard Hauk as high school assistant concessions; Bucky Kramer as middle/high school boys' head track coach and head wrestling coach; Curt Krominaker as assistant soccer coach; Alisha Laffin as high school head cheer coach; Kevin Lutes as high school girls' head track coach; Braden Montgomery as middle/high school assistant wrestling coach; Darrin Montgomery as middle/high school assistant wrestling coach; Michael Murphy as assistant wrestling coach; Chuck Tilton as middle school assistant football coach and Susan Trent as middle school girls' cross country coach.

The next regular school board meeting will be July 15 at 7 p.m.