Madison School Board Approves Solar Panel Plan For District Buildings

MADISON, NJ - The Madison Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to move forward with a plan to bring solar panels to district buildings, approving a consulting agreement and authorizing a formal bidding process at a special meeting.

The board approved hiring Talva Energy, a professional energy consulting firm, to oversee the project. Under the proposed structure, a third-party developer would finance, install, own, operate and maintain the solar photovoltaic systems on district property through a Power Purchase Agreement — meaning the district would not bear upfront construction costs.

Talva Energy had previously prepared a Solar Feasibility Assessment for the district. Under the approved consulting agreement, the firm will develop potential system designs, conduct utility interconnection analysis, manage a request for proposals process and oversee the project through final inspections and permission to operate.

The board also approved a separate resolution authorizing Talva Energy and board counsel to prepare and issue the RFP for the solar PPA.

Board members present — Kelley Browning, David Duran, Lisa Ellis, Nancy Novak and Steve Tindall — voted yes on all resolutions. No members of the public spoke at the meeting.

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