To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Executive Office
Meeting Date: March 24, 2026
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Department Contact: |
Sara Pierce |
Phone: |
707-463-4441 |
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Department Contact: |
Doug Anderson |
Phone: |
707-264-6054 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 30 Minutes |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Direction to Staff Regarding Updated Cash Flow Projections for the Ameresco Proposed Energy Saving Performance Project and Whether or Not to Continue with the Project
(Sponsor: Executive Office)
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Discuss updated cash flow projections for the Ameresco Proposed Energy Saving Performance Project and provide direction to staff on whether or not to continue with the project.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
During the August 3, 2021, Board of Supervisors General Meeting the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors signed Resolution No. 21-117 declaring its intent to reduce and eliminate the carbon footprint of buildings and operations of the County of Mendocino, with an initial investment of at least $2,000,000. Among the resolutions was direction to staff to leverage this investment with grants and low interest financing resources.
During the July 25, 2023, Board of Supervisors meeting the Board of Supervisors accepted the proposed Carbon Footprint Reduction Priority Plan and approved the priority projects identified for funding with the Carbon Reduction Funds in the amount of $1,000,000.
During the September 10, 2024, Board of Supervisors Meeting, the Board of Supervisors awarded the ESCO Request for Proposals to Ameresco and approved a Project Development Agreement (PDA) with Ameresco to complete Investment Grade Audits for the development of Energy Savings Projects at selected County facilities.
During the December 17, 2024 Board of Supervisors Meeting the Board of Supervisors expressed support for the Willits Library project and directed staff to proceed the Metal Roof option and include the solar component, while requesting additional information and options for the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) component.
On April 22, 2025, The Board of Supervisors provided direction to proceed with the Willits Library project in phases beginning with the roof replacement as required by California Public Contract Code and to bring back the solar and battery options for future direction.
During the July 29, 2025 Board meeting, there was discussion regarding the development of an energy saving project Agreement with Ameresco and staff requested direction from the Board on 1) County’s desire to incur additional debt through equipment financing; 2) on how to prioritize between cost saving measures and carbon reduction measures; and 3) on the maximum capital contribution to the project. Direction was provided to have staff continue with option 2 as presented, which includes: utilizing the Carbon Reduction funds from PG&E in the Amount of $1.52M, no financing, single solar site, and net savings of $1.99M over 25 years. For reference, option 1 was to utilize Carbon Reduction Funds from PG&E in the amount of $1M and incur roughly $3.9M in debt through equipment financing which would have potentially seen net savings of roughly $8.14M over 25 years.
Summary of Request:
During the July 29, 2025 Board meeting staff was provided direction to continue with option 2 as presented, which includes: utilizing the Carbon Reduction funds from PG&E in the Amount of $1.52M, no financing, single solar site, and net savings of $1.99M over 25 years.
Staff has been working with Ameresco and County Counsel to move the project along. This included discussion with the Utility Department of the City of Ukiah and County bond counsel about the need to potentially do a lot line adjustment for the County properties involved, due to the selected project site crossing a parcel line. In February, staff was provided an updated cash flow projection which now estimates the net savings to be $1.12M over 25 years, a reduction of $869K in savings. As presented in the attached cash flow, the breakeven point is year 19. When the cash flow is converted to present value the breakeven point is year 26, past the average useful life of the panels.
Ameresco has identified two primary factors contributing to the reduced savings:
• Alternative Photovoltaic (PV) modules were selected due to updated federal guidance and market conditions, including Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) requirements and module availability. The selected modules have slightly lower modeled production than those used in the preliminary analysis.
• Based on information obtained during the site walk in August alternative inverters were selected to match the available service voltage. The new inverters have a lower kW rating, which requires greater number of inverters to serve the array while remaining within the service constraints. They also operate at a slightly lower efficiency and result in a higher DC/AC ration compared to the original design. Additionally, the reduced DC input capacity per inverter requires string reconfiguration, which introduces minor mismatch and operational losses.
• Additional costs associated with a required lot line adjustment and site conditions minimally increased the cost of the project by roughly $10,000.
Staff’s recommendation is to discontinue the project and reallocate PG&E Funding for deferred maintenance projects such as the County Administration Roof.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide Direction to Staff
Strategic Plan Priority Designation: A Prepared and Resilient County
Supervisorial District: District 2
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: N/A
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: PG&E Funding |
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current f/y cost: $1.5M |
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budget clarification: N/A |
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annual recurring cost: |
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budgeted in current f/y (if no, please describe): No |
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revenue agreement: No |
AGREEMENT/RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE APPROVED BY COUNTY COUNSEL: N/A
CEO Liaison: Darcie Antle, CEO
CEO Review: Yes
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Deputy Clerk |
Final Status: Item Status |
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Date: Date Executed |
Executed Item Type: item |
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Number: |
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