Petition filed to halt solar project construction

A hearing to determine the future of the Carson City School District's solar energy project is set Thursday in Carson City District Court.

The Northern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council filed a petition Monday to stop further progress on the district's plans to build solar energy arrays at five schools.

The petition asserts that the district did not bid the project according to Nevada law and should be required to re-bid the $10.5 million projects.

Superintendent Richard Stokes said the district believes it met the bid requirements described in state statute when it joined onto a contract established by the City of Sparks and Hamilton Solar for a similar solar project this year.

The school solar project is one of many being built by public agencies within the state.

The Carson City Planning Commission recently approved special-use permits for the construction of photovoltaic structures at Eagle Valley and Carson middle schools as well as Seeliger Elementary School.

There also are plans for the photovoltaic structures at Carson High School and Fritsch Elementary School, however a special-use permit is not required for those.

A rebate program sponsored by NV Energy is expected to pay for approximately 92 percent of the cost if completed by July 20.

The district estimates it will save around $400,000 in annual electrical costs once the solar projects are completed.

The hearing is set for 9 a.m. Thursday.