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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,March 25, 2013 <br /> Page 24 <br /> referenced additional steps outlined in State Statute for the City Council to take <br /> before any actual award of a project, including notice requirements and publishing <br /> some of the data. <br /> In response to Councilmember Willmus, Ms. Lundberg advised that the typical <br /> life expectancy for this solar installation was forty (40) years, with standard mod- <br /> ule warranties for 20-30 years. Ms. Lundberg reviewed the laboratory testing for <br /> this particular product by the National Renewable Energy Labs under extreme <br /> lifestyle and weather conditions, with the silicone modules exceeding expecta- <br /> tions through 100 years of extreme conditions without exception. Ms. Lundberg <br /> noted the composition of the glass meant to be outside and withstand hail; and all <br /> wires protected in channels; with the inverters guaranteed for ten (10) years, with <br /> only modest operational expenses. <br /> Regarding the condition of the existing roof with this installation, Mr. Schwartz <br /> advised that this was the rationale for installation on the newer roof portions of <br /> the designated buildings; with approximately 25,000 square feet needed for each <br /> system and allowing for other rooftop equipment as well. Ms. Lundberg noted <br /> the need for actual roof space of approximately 5,000 square feet for each 40 KW <br /> installation. <br /> Discussion ensued regarding snow loads and requirements of the installation pro- <br /> cess, with oversight and design by both electrical and structural engineers and part <br /> of Powerfully Green's due diligence and accomplished through spreading out <br /> nominal ballast and adding for dead loads. <br /> Further discussion included other possible ground and/or rooftop applications in- <br /> cluding the new fire station and future park shelter construction; additional cost <br /> for ground mounts based on soil type and other considerations, with the City of <br /> Red Wing used as an example of such application; and how snow reacted to the <br /> installation and was addressed through angles of the panels with the onus on <br /> Powerfully Green to estimate conservatively to address those load based on this <br /> type of climate and continued use; and ability to access the roof through this in- <br /> stallation procedure, using concrete blocks and not permanently attaching the <br /> panels to the roof itself, but through use of ballasts and space between rows al- <br /> lowing for access. <br /> Additional discussion included staff discussions with the City's roofing contractor <br /> and existing warranty on the membrane with no impact to that warranty; the <br /> City's current energy use lower than some other public agencies and applications <br /> based on the rates of KW hours; ability to move the array— at the City's cost of <br /> between $7,000 to $10,000 — to facilitate future roof replacements; and the need <br /> to take those costs into consideration for the City's future CIP needs. <br />