The project will require the ENGINEER to display experience and excellence in solar energy generation, including solar arrays, electrical infrastructure, and energy storage. In addition, expertise in electrical energy modeling, economic feasibility, and life cycle cost analysis are important attributesto properly sizing and assessing the best course of action for the CITY. The required servicesinclude but are not limited to the following:
1. Provide solar potential evaluation of City-owned properties to determine the best site location(s) taking into consideration sunlight, flood plains, and future developmentssuch as building expansion and parking. Currently the CITY isconsidering locations at all Cityowned facilities. The study shall address any constraints established by the existing power grid.
2. Investigate existing building rooftops, but also consider open land areas. Existing rooftop structural design, layout, size, typical section, and the respective equipment layout (vents, HVAC, roof drains, etc.) and their effect on potential photovoltaic production shall be examined. Identify system sizing boundary conditions and physical constraintsfor the provided City sites. The qualified firm will provide an irradiance index map for each rooftop/land area to show the effects of shading from existing features or obstructions.
3. Provide evaluation of recommended size for solar energy field based upon review of available City energy load profiles. The CITY maintains historical data of electricity usage for the City-owned properties.
4. Provide project cost estimates, life cycle cost analysis, and return on investment calculations of the solar energy project.
5. Provide recommendations of available resources of government financial assistance/grants. Provide recommendations on waysto accomplish the project either by City-owned/operated vs 3rd party agreement(s) with long-term power purchase agreement(s) vs municipality collaboration.
6. Provide recommendationsfor varioussolar technologiesin terms of solar panel types and cost forecast on when solar will be most likely be at itslowest cost.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the PJM PLC methodology along with Duke Energys rate ridersin evaluating rightsizing the solar energy production and the financial savings from reducing the demand and peak contributing load.
8. Evaluate energy storage optionsfor the City to store energy for short periods of time and provide recommendationsfor energy storage. Energy storage isidentified as a method to reduce the capacity and demand charges that may drive the project towards a favorable ROI.
9. The ENGINEER shall take a comprehensive look at the coststo maintain thissolar field system for 20 years; not limited to daily maintenance of the panels, maintenance of the electricalcomponents, replacement parts, service contracts, and personnel requirements. The ENGINEER shall also evaluate contingency planning if a natural disaster were to impact the area. The CITY reserves the right to accept or reject all or portions of any response(s) to the RFP, to waive any informalities of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, to re-advertise the RFP, to amend the terms of the RFP, to extend the dates provided herein, to suspend the procurement if the desired outcomes are not achieved, to award the contract to the most responsive and responsible respondent(s) as deemed in the best interest of the CITY, and/or proceed to provide the services otherwise as the CITY may determine, in its sole discretion, is in the best interest of the CITY.
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