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Projects Updates for Solar Farm 1.0
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Building removal
Associated Project(s):There are three buildings on the site of the future Solar Farm. The SSC requested that the Timber Frame barn be salvaged, rather than demolished. The company that is the preferred vendor for this work provided this detail:
It would be our intention to reuse 100% of the wood components. We would re-erect the building as it stands with only modifications being to the interior layout spacing. We will recycle the steel roofing. We would handle the concrete in non-landfill manner; planned use is as a fencing fill for the new owner. Battens and doors and any exterior wood treatments would be reused in the re-newed structure. Although the nails will not be reused in the re-erection of the building, they have been allocated to go to a local BFA candidate.
Student Sustainability Committee approves funding for the Solar Farm
Associated Project(s):The Student Sustainability Committee approved the Solar Farm funding of $1.05M over the course of three years.
ACUPCC tweets about UI Solar Farm
Associated Project(s):The American College and University Presidents' Climate Committment picked up the UI Solar Farm project on twitter.
Channel 15 does interview about UI Solar Farm
Associated Project(s):Channel 15 news interviewed Morgan Johnston about the UI Solar Farm. The news report showed on Channel 15 on Friday, November 09.
News-Gazette article about UI Solar Farm being approved
Associated Project(s):The News-Gazette had an article about the Board of Trustees approval of the Solar Farm.
Channel 3 shares info about UI Solar Farm
Associated Project(s):Channel 3 news shared the story of the UI Solar Farm on TV and on the Illinois homepage website.
Board of Trustees approves Solar Farm
Associated Project(s):The Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois approved the purchase plans for the Solar Farm on Thursday. The next steps are to complete the Development Agreement, Land-Lease Agreement, and Power Purchase Agreement. Once these are completed, the Solar Farm vendor will begin the design and implementation of the Solar Farm at the southwest corner of Windsor Road and First Street. The entire site should be completed and operational by the end of 2013.
Board of Trustees approves solar farm
Associated Project(s):The Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois approved the Solar Farm purchase.
WILL does interview about Solar Farm
Associated Project(s):Jeff Bossert at WILL Public Radio interviewed Morgan Johnston about the Solar Farm. The interview was recorded and will be on the radio.
News-Gazette article about site selection
Associated Project(s):The News-Gazette published a follow-up article about the Solar Farm site selection. The article is online.
News-Gazette Article describes Solar Farm
Associated Project(s):The News-Gazette contacted SSC members and F&S to get an overview of the Solar Farm project as discussed at the BOT Audit, Budget, Finance, and Facilities sub-committee meeting. The article is online.
It was also picked up by the Chicago Tribune, Danville Area Connect, I4U, as well.
F&S discussions with SSC continued
Associated Project(s):The Student Sustainability Committee met with F&S and exchanged letters and draft letters before finalizing the funding approval for the Solar Farm. Some of the related files are attached here.
Audit, Budget, Finance, & Facilities subcommittee forwards Solar Farm to Nov. 8 BOT agenda
Associated Project(s):The Board of Trustees Audit, Budget, Finance, and Facilities subcommittee discussed the Solar Farm project, and agreed to bring it to the Board of Trustees for approval on November 8, 2012.
SSC formal proposal submitted via email
Associated Project(s):Due to the Board of Trustees meeting schedule, the SSC has agreed to do a straw-poll about the funding of the Solar Farm project at their upcoming meeting on Oct. 26, 2012. They requested a full proposal be submitted this week, for review by committee members this coming week. The submitted proposal and associated calculations are attached here.
No concerns found for Franklin's Ground Squirrels on site
Associated Project(s):As a follow up to the EcoCAT submittal for the Solar Farm, Jim Sims worked with Dr. Edward J. Heske and Torrey W. Rodgers, from the Illinois Natural History Survey, to arrange a field survey to check for Franklin's Ground Squirrel. None were found.
Attached Files:BAFO will remain in effect until end of calendar year
Associated Project(s):Within the RFP, we requested that any offer be valid for 120 days. However, this project will most likely go to the Board of Trustees in November, which would be beyond the 120 day period. Therefore, Kim Porter requested an extension from the Preferred Vendor, and they have agreed to hold the offer firm until the end of this calendar year (2012).
Specifically, the vendor said "Yes, we can honor our price through the end of the year. We’d be happy to become more engaged in the planning process with the University if appropriate. Please let me know if there is anything we could do."
F&S meeting with SSC re: Solar Farm
Associated Project(s):Jack Dempsey and Morgan Johnston from F&S met with Marika Nell (chair) and Mckenzie Beverage (program advisor) from the Student Sustainability Committee (SSC). This meeting was to give an overview of the Solar Farm project, and the anticipated funding needs.
Price per kwh will include cost for connection to the grid
Associated Project(s):The RFP for the Solar Farm included various options on the pricing proposal form. Kent Reifsteck confirmed that we will move forward with getting approval from the Board of Trustees for the option that includes all costs in the price per kilowatt-hour. This includes the full ten year cost of the Solar Farm installation, operations, and maintenance, and the cost to connect the installation to the campus electrical grid.
Best and Final Offer (BAFO) received
Associated Project(s):The preferred vendor, as identified through the RFP evaluation process, was asked to submit a Best and Final Offer (BAFO). This item was received and the campus will finalize exact funding plan.