Optony’s solar assessment determined that a newly proposed 131 kW solar PV carport system could offset approximately 55% of the site’s annual energy use—saving an estimated $491,000 over a 20-year term—and position the campus to transition toward clean, reliable, and self-sustaining energy operations. By transforming an underutilized parking area into a high-performing solar asset, the project introduces a durable and highly visible sustainability feature that directly supports the City’s carbon neutrality goals.

Beyond the immediate benefits of solar, Optony’s study identified a clear path for resilience: a future 63 kW / 511 kWh battery energy storage system that would deliver up to six hours of backup power during outages and dramatically reduce emissions from the existing diesel generator. Although installation of the battery is planned for a later phase pending outside funding, the recommended approach ensures that today’s solar investment is fully microgrid-ready. The system is intentionally designed with the electrical infrastructure, layout, and interconnection capacity needed to enable a future battery to be added with minimal disruption—essentially allowing the equipment to plug directly into a pre-configured microgrid backbone. This strategic, phased approach allows the City to take immediate action on its clean energy goals while keeping the path open for enhanced resilience and sustainability upgrades.

This phased strategy is both innovative and scalable. By deploying solar now and integrating microgrid-ready components from the outset, the City avoids future redesign costs and preserves the flexibility to expand the system as funding, technology, and program opportunities evolve. The project showcases a modern approach to resilience planning: using today’s clean energy investment to unlock tomorrow’s backup power capabilities.

Several technological and design elements make the solution particularly forward-thinking. The carport array is engineered to support a hybrid solar-plus-storage configuration and is coordinated with ForeFront Power’s PPA structure to streamline long-term ownership, operations, and service. The microgrid analysis also incorporates Optony’s advanced modeling through MDOCS, ensuring the recommended battery size, duration, and charging strategy are optimized for the campus’s unique load patterns and emergency-response priorities. Together,
these design choices create a blueprint that other municipalities can scale, replicate, and adapt—demonstrating how thoughtful planning can turn a single site into a resilient energy hub for years to come.