This study compared estimated utility costs over 25 years in three different scenarios:

1. If the City purchased the PV panels directly and managed the ongoing maintenance itself (upfront purchase).
2. If the City engaged in a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a third-party provider that would procure, install, and maintain the equipment and sell the energy generated by the PV system to the City.
3. If the City did not install solar (the “baseline” scenario).

2RW’s services included:

• Analysis of building age and roof and/or site area
• Modeling of annual array production estimates to predict peak demand and annual utility cost savings
• A utility rate study comparing cost savings under Dominion Energy’s available rate schedules
  Assessment of each building’s electrical systems to identify required power system modifications
• Management of a structural engineering sub-consultant that conducted site assessments
• Development of a detailed report summarizing the energy and financial savings potential for each site
• Financial analysis of twenty-five-year costs were projected for the three scenarios above to determine if a PV installation would be cost-effective.

The study concluded that installing solar on one specific building under any financing scenario could save the City money over a 25-year period. Upfront purchase could save the City more than $380,000 and engaging in a PPA would have lower cost savings but would have the added benefit of being less resource-intensive for the City to manage.