3.6MW Solar PV Project, Pittsburg Unified School District

Objective: Assist the Pittsburg Unified School District in evaluating PPA project financing for a $13M solar PV project.

Result: With Sage’s input, the district ultimately decided to self-finance with COP funding and work directly with a PV vendor rather than enter into a power purchase agreement. The new funding strategy and contract changes Sage suggested resulted in an estimated savings of more than $11M over the life of the project, and allowed the district to increase the project size from 2.7MW to 3.6MW. The project will save the district an estimated $1.8M in energy costs over the next 25 years.

Services: Sage developed project cost modeling used to restructure and negotiate project costs with the chosen vendor. Templates were provided for warranty, commissioning, and performance guarantee contract language. Sage reviewed contracts, provided system performance modeling to optimize CSI utilization, and evaluated PV contractor's proposed system and modeling. Sage is currently performing commissioning certification.