Hollister School District Superintendent Ron Crates said
officials are not required to request bids on the solar proposal
because the project would carry no costs aside from those covered
by ClearSpot Energy.
Hollister School District Superintendent Ron Crates said officials are not required to request bids on a company’s solar-energy proposal because the project would carry no costs aside from those covered by ClearSpot Energy.
School leaders did not consider allowing other bids on the project proposed by Atherton-based ClearSpot Energy to install solar panels on campuses and have the company sell back the energy at a discounted rate, in theory saving taxpayers millions of dollars over the project’s 30-year life.
ClearSpot has proposed to place and maintain solar panels on school campuses over covered eating areas and potentially in parking lots – and to pay all of those costs.
“To me, it’s like a professional service,” Crates responded, comparing the deal to contracts with outside consultants, such as architects, which don’t require open bidding.
He pointed out how ClearSpot “came to us” and he said the proposal “would not be of much interest to me” if the company merely focused on the school district as opposed to a communitywide approach.
For the prior story detailing the proposed solar partnership, go here or see the Free Lance on Tuesday.
