09-26-2017 CCM WORKSHOPHUTCHINSON CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL WORKSHOP
MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2017, AT 4:30 PM
CITY CENTER — COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1. Call to Order — 4:30 p.m.
Mayor Gary Forcier called the meeting to order. Members present were Chad Czmowski, Mary
Christensen, Steve Cook and John Lofdahl. Others present were Matt Jaunich, City Administrator,
Marc Sebora, City Attorney, Kent Exner, City Engineer and other City staff.
DISCUSSION/REVIEW ITEMS
2. Review of Solar Array Items
John Paulson, Environmental Manager, introduced John Neville from Ameresco who will be
leading the workshop. Mr. Neville will be providing an update and status on the solar pv project.
Mr. Neville noted that he will be providing an overview of City projects along with an M&V
report and O&E report. He will also review information surrounding the TenKSolar restructuring
and reviewing new opportunities for the City. Mr. Neville provided a history of the projects
completed between City of Hutchinson and Ameresco including a City facilities upgrade for
energy efficiency in 2010. This included a $375,114 project with a $219,720 rebate. The City
received positive energy saving results in $60,000. The projected 6.7 year payback was delivered
in 3.6 years. The City and Ameresco also conducted a solar pv project on the closed landfill
which was the first in Minnesota. They collaborated to apply for an Xcel RDF grant in the
amount of $1 million. This 400kw solar pv project was $1.4 million with a cost to the City of
only approximately $350,000. In addition the City has received several awards for their projects.
Mr. Neville reviewed an M&V report for 2017. There were inverter failures mainly due to a
utility ground fault that occurred on 7/12/16. Approximately 70 inverters were replaced in
December/January by Ameresco at a cost of $18,000. The manufacturer determined it was an
overload condition and did not honor their warranty. To address future failures, Ameresco has
purchased approximately 20 inverters and Lead Solar will honor their warranty for "routine"
failures. In addition, another manufacturer is interested in providing inverters.
Mr. Neville then reviewed a project status Operations & Maintenance report. The synopsis of the
report noted that six modules are non-performing out of 975. This is only 0.6% of the panels.
The company that manufactured the panels are now out of business so Ameresco is exploring
replacement options. 12 inverters are non-performing out of 450 which is 2.5% of the inverters.
These inverters are out of warranty and Ameresco has replacements available. Some other issues
include tree growth under the array which is being remedied, harmonic noise which has been
identified and corrected between Ameresco and the wastewater treatment facility staff and a few
cracked conductor cable jackets that were identified have been sealed and secured. Overall the
system is in good shape and is performing well and on track for over -achieving for 2017 in its
current condition.
Future operations and maintenance issues for the project will be performed by Hunt Electric.
Replacement panels can be integrated into the system for solar panel performance/conditions.
Inverter status will continue to be monitored and replaced. The goal is to maintain the system in
good shape and it will continue to perform well and overachieve for future years.
Mr. Neville reviewed the harmonic noise issue. Mr. Neville explained it as the micro -inverters
being sensitive to harmonic noise which amplify to a point that resets the inverter causing loss of
production.
Mr. Neville reviewed options for the solar pv project. The warranty of the solar panels are out of
warranty and the manufacturer is out of business. Other replacement panels can be used from
other manufacturers. The inverters can be supplied by Lead Solar and has a limited warranty of
20 years. Other manufacturers are being pursued for the inverters. Ameresco has aproject
guarantee that adjustments will be made to the production via manufacturers' failure to honor
warranties per contract and will continue to work with the City to achieve savings.
Mr. Neville provided information on TenKSolar who was the manufacturer of the panels. They
are out of business as of August 2017. Ameresco obtained extra inverters for the City as well as
for other entities.
Lastly, Mr. Neville reviewed new opportunities available to the City. These opportunities include
high -efficiency LED street lighting upgrades, wastewater treatment plant energy upgrades,
energy/equipment upgrade audits and community solar gardens. Mr. Neville reviewed how
projects are selected and the phases of implementation.
Motion by Christensen, second by Lofdahl, to adjourn at 5:20 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Gary T. Forcier
Mayor
Matthew Jaunich
City Administrator