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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Alison Lindburg, Director of Sustainability
Jason Bauer, Director of Public Works
DATE: May 8, 2026
SUBJECT:
A resolution accepting the installation of a ground-mounted solar array at Church Road Elevated Tank at 2680 Church Road in Ward 1 and execution of a Power Purchase Agreement and Lease Agreement with 548 Energy Technologies, LLC.
PURPOSE:
To move forward with an agreement with 548 Energy Technologies, LLC to install and maintain a solar array at the site, to lease the land for the solar array, and agree to purchase power at a cost savings as compared to the current provider.
BACKGROUND:
This is a project at the Church Road Elevated Tank site at 2680 Church Road in Aurora for the installation of ground-mounted solar panels for the site. There is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the energy generated at the site and a Lease Agreement as attached exhibits. Exhibit A is the PPA and Exhibit B is the Lease Agreement.
The City went through an RFP process to select this vendor, in cooperation with Progressive Business Solutions. 548 Energy Technologies, LLC (“548 Energy”) was selected and since, both 548 Energy and Progressive have been reviewing city sites that are ideal for converting to solar energy. This site proved to be the most beneficial to the city, in order to supply power within the site that is not eligible for discounts from ComEd, as all revenue generating sites are typically ineligible for such exemptions unlike other city buildings.
By executing this agreement, it is estimated that the city will save approximately $452,000 over the course of the 25-year duration of the PPA. At the end of the initial 25-year period, the city will have the option to either extend the agreement or terminate the agreement at which time 548 Energy will remove the equipment and restore the site to pre-installation conditions. It is anticipated that the solar array will provide approximately 70% of the energy required to power the equipment at the Church Road Elevated Tank.
Installation of this solar array helps meet the goals of the 2019 Aurora Sustainability Plan.
DISCUSSION:
No City funds are required for this initiative, as power is already being purchased for use at this site; the anticipated expense of the new PPA is approximately $1.7m over the 25-year duration of the PPA, which represents an anticipated reduction in the expenditures by approximately $452,000 over the term of the PPA.
Expense account: 510-4058-511-6204
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This action adds ground-mounted solar panels to a City-owned site. The maintenance of these solar panels will be at the discretion of the Developer.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend adopting this resolution.
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution accepting the installation of a ground-mounted solar array at Church Road Elevated Tank at 2680 Church Road in Ward 1 and execution of a Power Purchase Agreement and a Lease Agreement with 548 Energy Technologies, LLC.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, installation of this solar array helps meet the goals of the 2019 Aurora Sustainability Plan, and
WHEREAS, 548 Energy Technologies, LLC has provided the necessary information for said project; and
WHEREAS, a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) (Exhibit A) has been included as part of the installation of the project; and
WHEREAS, a Lease Agreement (Exhibit B) has been included for the installation of the project on a City-owned site; and
WHEREAS, the total anticipated payment for power over the duration of the 25-year agreement will be $1,733,335; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that the city will realize a savings of approximately $452,000 during the 25-year duration of the PPA; and
WHEREAS, 548 Energy was selected for this project in response to a Request for Proposals that was submitted and reviewed by the City and Progressive Business Solutions, who has worked with the city previously on a number of electrical supply issues; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the city will accept the installation of a ground-mounted solar array at the Church Road Elevated Tank site at 2680 Church Road and will execute a Power Purchase Agreement (Exhibit A) and a Lease Agreement (Exhibit B) with 548 Energy Technologies, LLC, and hereby authorizes the Mayor or his designee to sign said agreements.