Exeter school board approves nearly $4M contract for solar farm

ST. LAWRENCE BOROUGH, Pa. – After more than three years of discussion, the Exeter Township School District Board of Directors approved a contract for the development and construction of a solar farm.

The contract is with Trane, a global provider of heating, ventilating and air conditioning and building management systems and controls. When completed, the solar farm is intended to provide 100% of the district’s energy needs during daylight hours and at least 50% for 24 hours.

The agreement with Trane was approved by a 6-0 vote, subject to solicitor review with board members. Members Anne Hearing, Timothy Morgan and Travis Odom were absent.

The board was told by Brian Feick, business administrator, that due to the sunsetting of federal tax credits and local energy incentives, it would need to complete this project by the end of June 2026. To do so, Feick said, the order of the switch gear is needed immediately because it has the longest lead time of 32 weeks.

All contractors and material suppliers, he noted, already have bid under the federal procurement Omnia contract of which Exeter Township School District is a part. Trane will act as the construction manager and will be responsible for deliveries, specifications, contractors and other aspects of the construction.

The contract with Trane is for $3,981,888 dollars, which includes all sales, consumer, use and similar taxes (excluding income taxes) for the services which are legally enacted as of the date of the agreement.

Feick pointed out that depending on the interest rate negotiated with the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority — which is developing a loan program designed to help Solar for Schools grantees obtain cost-effective financing to complete their solar energy projects — the project will pay for itself in five years to seven years under the highest interest rate scenario.

According to Feick, PEDA is an independent energy financing authority of the state whose mission is to provide financial assistance to clean energy projects and technologies.

“If we start today, the project will be done by June 30, 2026,” Feick said. “Over 30 years, the solar farm will save taxpayers $10 million.”

Under the terms of the contract, Trane shall have designed and substantially completed installation of the equipment and performance of the work and services no later than Dec. 31, 2026. The company will also have exclusive control over construction means, methods, techniques, sequences and procedures.