HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017.08.07 (2)Update on Fire Hall Roof Replacement
Monday, August 7, 2017
City Council
1
Background
The Fire Hall was constructed in 1998
The roof and rooftop mechanical equipment have surpassed their serviceable life.
Staff has been working with the Fire Department to begin the process
of replacement.
2
Process
Staff received estimates for the cost of replacement of the roof and rooftop mechanical equipment.
Because of the predicted cost of the project, State Statute requires that a bidding
process must be followed.
July 5, 2017
The Council approved the hiring of a consultant to provide plans and specifications for the
replacement of the Fire Hall roof and
rooftop
mechanical units.
3
Evaluation of Solar
2017 City Focus Goal:
Evaluate possible solar panel installation at City facilities.
Potential Systems:
19.8 kW system (59 solar panels)
Save $1,426/year with the system
Systems under
20 kW can apply for Xcel Solar Rewards
Total cost w/ Xcel rewards: $35,600
25 year payback
49.245 kW system (147 panels)
Save $3,567/year with the system
Total cost: $108,750
30 year
payback
*None of these estimates include degradation of the panel production of maintenance costs
One of the 2017 City Council focus goals was to evaluate possible solar panel installation at City facilities. Staff believed the replacement of the Fire Hall roof would be a good opportunity
to investigate the opportunity to put solar panels on the roof of the facility.
Staff worked with a solar company who provided us with two potential systems. The first allows the
City for apply for the Xcel solar rewards program. This program helps offset the cost of the install. It is a 19.8 kW system, which is 59 panels. The system would save the City $1,426/year.
With using the Xcel rewards program, the system would cost approximately $35,600 and there would be a 25 year payback.
The second system maximizes the space on the fire hall roof by
using 147 panels for a 49.245 kW system. The project would cost $108,000 and the City would save $3,567/year. This would mean there would be a 30 year payback.
None of these numbers
include the degradation of the panel production nor any maintenance costs post install.
4
Conclusion
Solar
The cost of solar, panel lifespan, and the size of our project concludes that the installation of solar panels may not the best option at this point.
Preparation of roof for possible
future installation of solar system.
Currently, the cost for installation of solar panels is still very high. That mixed with a lifespan of panels at 20 years and an estimated time of payback at 25 years or more, the
installation of solar panels does not seem to be the best option at this point. City staff will continue to keep updated on solar trends and hopes to see solar panel costs decrease
and advancements in the technology. However, staff believes that we should make sure we are doing work to the roof during this replacement to ensure that a solar system could be handled
in the future.
5
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council wait to install a solar energy system on the Fire Hall roof, but allows for the engineering and structural assessment to be completed for possible future
installation of a solar energy system on this building.
Next Steps:
Preparation of plans and specs.
City Council approval of advertisement for bids.
Collection and reading of bids.
City
Council approval of bid.
Replacement of roof and equipment begins.
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