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13 <br /> Solar panels have a 25 year life expectancy, and the leasing company often only owns the panels for the <br /> first 5-10 years.The schools have the option to write into the lease agreement that the solar company <br /> will manage any repairs and maintenance either during the time the system is owned by the solar <br /> company or for the entire life of the panels.After an agreed-upon period of time,the lease agreement <br /> should allow the Schools to make one of the following choices: <br /> 1.) Purchase the panels at a much reduced cost; <br /> 2.) Renegotiate a new lease agreement; <br /> 3.) Ask the solar company to remove the panels at no cost. <br /> 6. What can the schools expect in terms of lifetime costs if they lease instead of owning their <br /> systems? <br /> Leasing a solar installation from a private 3rd party entity would allow the schools to take advantage of <br /> significant federal tax incentives that are inaccessible to public entities if they were to purchase the <br /> system outright. <br /> As part of the RFP process,the schools can ask solar companies to run lifecycle cost analyses as part of <br /> their bid package.These analyses change from site to site based on various factors including space <br /> available,total on-site energy demand, shading, and electricity rates. Running these analyses is a normal <br /> part of the RFP bidding process that solar companies are prepared to undertake. <br /> Local example-OWASA has gone through an RFP process and is currently designing solar installations at <br /> 5 locations through all lease agreements.As a package and based on the terms that they negotiated, <br /> their solar installations have a positive net present value within their expected 25-year life (3% discount <br /> rate).They expect to break even around year 15 and save more than $200,000 in avoided energy bills <br /> over the life of the systems. (See full details in OWASA Agenda Packet from Sept 26, 2019). <br /> 7. How do the schools feel about the potential for ground-mounted solar in comparison to a rooftop <br /> system? <br /> Both OCS and CHCCS staff felt that a ground-mounted solar installation may be possible, but more <br /> research will be needed to determine what space is available and best-suited for this purpose.A list of <br /> potential rooftop and ground-mount sites can be proposed in the RFP that the schools release and solar <br /> companies can provide further feasibility information. <br /> 8. What specific school buildings or grounds might be good candidates for a solar installation? <br />