River Forest officials continued their commitment to the environment, recently approving a contract for installation of solar panels on the public works garage located at 45 Forest Ave.
At its Oct. 13 meeting, the village board unanimously and without debate approved he contract with Windfree Wind and Solar Energy Design Co. of Chicago,
Although the total cost of the project is $159,668, after credits and rebates it is expected that it will only cost the village $16,695.
“Staff have determined that Windfree Solar was the lowest responsive bid and has the necessary experience and background for the proposed project,” Jack Bielak, director of public works and engineering, and Seth Jansen, management analyst, said in a memo to Matt Walsh, village administrator. “Windfree Solar has completed projects of similar scope at other public facilities in the Chicago region.”
Bielak said he expects the project to start this month with site surveying and engineering with completion targeted for March or April 2026 depending on weather and Windfree’s ability to source materials.
In the memo, Bielak and Jansen explained that staff members had originally explored a ground-mounted solar installation at the pumping station, 7525 Berkshire Ave., but determined the anticipated annual electricity generated from the installation would only cover a fraction of one month’s energy consumption there. They cited the high energy consumption of the pumping station and limited available space for the installation as factors.
They said staff members then explored the possibility of rooftop solar at the public works garage.
“Because of the comparatively low energy consumption levels at the garage, a rooftop system could result in the facility being net zero, meaning the rooftop solar installation would generate as much energy annually as is consumed by the facility,” they said.
“Because the electricity at the public works garage is paid through the village’s franchise agreement with Commonwealth Edison, the monetary savings would be realized through a reduction in the franchise fee appearing on residents’ electric bills.”
The selection process began with four firms that submitted proposals for the project. Staff members narrowed that list down to two firms that they felt were “well qualified with competitive bids and strong understanding of the project.”
Because the two bids proposed different system sizes for the rooftop solar installation, they were asked to explain their methodology. Staff shared the most recent usage statements for both meters at the garage and solicited revised proposals to best fit the current usage of the garage.
Staff members then determined that Windfree Solar was the lowest responsive bid and had the necessary experience and background for the proposed project.
The solar panel installation joins a long list of environmentally friendly projects the village has completed.
Emissions reduction and energy efficiency projects include LED street lighting replacement in 2011; installation of an electric vehicle (EV) charger at Village Hall in 2022; and LED lighting replacement at Village Hall in 2024. A project to install 13 additional EV chargers in village-owned lots is underway.
Green infrastructure and stormwater management projects include installing green alley permeable pavers from 2015 to 2022; permeable pavers in the Metra parking lot in 2016; and bioswales along Chicago Avenue in 2018. A project to install permeable pavers in the Village Hall parking lot is planned for 2026 or 2027.
The village’s efforts have been recognized with certification as an EV Ready Gold Community by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. River Forest also has been certified as a SolSmart Silver Community, EPA Green Power Community, Tree City USA annually since 1998 and an ArbNet Level 1 Arboretum.
“Sustainability is at the heart of how the village operates,” said Cathy Adduci, village president, citing the village’s comprehensive plan, which states, “Sustainability informs every component of a municipality.”
“Projects like the solar panels at the public works garage show that commitment in action, helping save taxpayer dollars while supporting renewable energy and reducing our carbon footprint right here in our community,” she said.
Credits and rebates include $14,580, Smart Inverter Rebate; $64,526, Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs); federal tax credit, $47,900; and $15,966, federal tax credit adder – energy community. SRECs are which a market-based instrument representing the environmental attributes of 1,000 kilowatt-hours.
The proposed system size is 58.32 kilowatts and is estimated to produce 71,220 kilowatt hours in the first year.