VILLAGE OF ELMORE, OHIO
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR THE PURCHASE OF
SOLAR ENERGY & CAPACITY
APRIL 1, 2016
VILLAGE OF ELMORE, OHIO
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR THE
PURCHASE OF SOLAR ENERGY & CAPACITY
1.0 SCOPE
The Village of Elmore, Ohio (“VILLAGE”) is issuing this Request for Proposals ("RFP")
for the purchase of solar energy including, but not limited to, energy, capacity and
associated environmental attributes/renewable energy credits for up to 1 MW of solarpowered generation to be built on a site owned by the Village. VILLAGE is requesting
proposals for a Solar Power Purchase Agreement (“SPPA”). Preference will be shown
for SPPA proposals under which VILLAGE would have the option to purchase and own
the facility at a later date.
2.0 SCHEDULE
The following schedule and deadlines apply to this solicitation:
Release of RFP: April 1, 2016
Proposals Due: April 15, 2016
Establish Short List: May 31, 2016
Selection of Vendor: June 30, 2016
Execute Contracts: 3rd Quarter 2016
Commercial Operation Date: 4th Quarter 2016
VILLAGE reserves the right to revise the schedule to accommodate changes.
3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A. Background
VILLAGE is an Ohio municipality located in Ottawa County that owns and operates an
Electric System providing electricity to approximately 950 customers in and around the
Village. VILLAGE is seeking opportunities to collaborate with a developer for the
purpose of developing a solar electricity generation project at the site shown in
Attachment I.
The project envisions a ground mounted solar energy generation facilities capable of
delivering up to 1 MW during peak periods. The specific technology is left up to the
respondent to propose. VILLAGE’s objective is to obtain the desired level of generation
at the lowest overall cost.
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B. SPPA
VILLAGE is most interested in an SPPA with a twenty year or longer term that takes into
consideration the federal Investment Tax Credits (“ITCs”) and the allowance for
accelerated depreciation. VILLAGE, as a non-profit entity, would look to the developer
to take advantage of the ITCs and accelerated depreciation and build those benefits into
their response. VILLAGE is also interested in a structure in which the developer would
offer the VILLAGE the option of purchasing the solar facility at some point in the future.
The preferred respondent would design, construct and own the facility and would sell
the output to VILLAGE under the SPPA, and would then turn over ownership and
operation to VILLAGE at the conclusion of the SPPA term. The developer will be
responsible for all equipment, materials, and services required for a complete operating
facility.
C. Site and Easement Agreement
The solar facility is to be built on land currently owned by VILLAGE, which is identified in
Attachment I. VILLAGE and selected developer shall enter into an Easement
Agreement (EA) allowing the developer to construct and operate the solar facility on the
site. The term of the EA will coincide with the term of the SPPA. Developer will be
responsible for preparation of the site.
D. Interconnection & Metering
The solar facility will interconnect with the Village’s 12.47 kV distribution system at the
west property line of the site along O S Dischinger Rd. The metering equipment shall
be installed by the developer at the point of interconnection. VILLAGE shall be
responsible for all costs associated with extending its electric facilities to the point of
interconnection. The developer shall be responsible for all costs associated with
delivering power to the 12.47 kV point of interconnection.
4.0 PROJECT SELECTION
Proposals will be judged based on their ability to meet VILLAGE's need for economical
and reliable renewable energy in the necessary timeframe. Respondents to this
solicitation should provide all relevant information necessary to allow VILLAGE to
conduct a thorough analysis of the proposal. The principal criteria to be used by
VILLAGE in evaluating proposals include, but are not necessarily limited to, total
delivered cost of the energy over the contract term, the design and reliability of the
project, and the financial and operational wherewithal of the respondent.
VILLAGE reserves the right to consider any other factors that it deems to be relevant to
its needs. VILLAGE reserves the right to request additional information from individual
respondents or to request all respondents to submit supplemental materials in fulfillment
of the content requirements of this RFP or to meet additional information needs of
VILLAGE.
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VILLAGE also reserves the unilateral right to waive any technical or format
requirements contained in the RFP. Furthermore, VILLAGE, in its sole discretion, will
analyze any financial, operational, or other necessary criteria to determine their comfort
and confidence that the respondent has the capability to fulfill their proposal. Finally,
VILLAGE reserves the right to withdraw this solicitation at any time and/or reject all
offers received.
Respondents are encouraged to include the following information:
Past Experience. VILLAGE will consider past experience of respondents in designing,
installing, owning, operating, and maintaining solar energy projects of similar size and
complexity. If the respondent forms a joint venture or other teaming arrangement, these
same considerations will be applied to the parties to the joint venture or teaming
arrangement cumulatively.
Pricing. Provide a fixed price per megawatt-hour ($/MWh) for energy, capacity and all
environmental attributes/renewable energy credits for the term of the SPPA. Any nonfixed pricing should be stated as a schedule of annual prices. Also provide pricing
excluding environmental attributes/renewable energy credits.
Proposed System Conceptual Design & Technical Specifications. Describe the preliminary
design/layout of the solar facility, type of technology, efficiency, mounting, tracking
method if used, and the proposed point of interconnection. Also provide an estimate of
the initial year output in megawatt-hours (MWh) and the anticipated annual rate of
degradation of the panels.
Financial Capability. Provide verifiable information demonstrating that the respondent is
in sound financial condition and has the ability to secure the necessary financing to
meet the project’s requirements now and in the future. The respondent’s financial
capability will be reviewed for stability and adequacy to meet its obligations under the
proposal. If the respondent plans to secure financing from an outside source, an official
letter from the financier confirming the financial arrangement may be required.
5.0 RESPONSE SUBMISSION
VILLAGE desires to receive electronic (scanned) copies of proposals by 5:00 PM
Eastern Standard Time, on April 15, 2016.
Send electronic copies to: john@courtney-associates.com
Any questions regarding this RFP should be submitted in writing to the above email
address.
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Village of Elmore, Ohio
SOLAR PROJECT SITE
The site consists of the outlined 52 acre property located along the east side of O S
Dischinger Rd just south of the Ohio Turnpike and is identified as Parcel No.
0190531025192001 on the Ottawa County Auditor’s website. The site is accessible
from O S Dischinger Rd.
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