After Coatesville school reject solar plan, firm moves on

It was supposed to be a pioneering project that would make the school district one of the nation's most energy-efficient.

But earlier this summer, the Coatesville Area School District pulled out of a plan to have 21,000 solar panels installed at its high school.

Now it faces a lawsuit, and the developer, Coatesville Solar Intitiative of Exton, is selling its wares to a district on the other side of the state, in a town called Moon.

In January, a few months before the company planned to break ground, Coatesville district officials - who say they support solar energy - decided to delay the plan because they wanted to look over the agreement more carefully.

The same day, the officials voted to sue their former solicitor, who helped draw up the contract, accusing him of overbilling and giving unsound legal advice during various projects.

They said they were concerned that the solar agreement did not make clear the potential cost savings and that provisions of the contract were missing or incomplete. On the advice of energy consultants, they withdrew from the project.

Two weeks ago, the developer began the process of suing the district in Chester County Court, saying it violated their agreement and seeking damages.

Adam Shienvold, the company's attorney, declined to comment Thursday.

Meanwhile, the developer is working with Moon Township, about 20 miles west of Pittsburgh, on a similar project.

"To me, the opportunity to do something beneficial for our neighbors in Pittsburgh and the environment is hugely exciting," said Bob Keares, managing partner of Coatesville Solar Initiative.

In July, the Moon Area School District board voted to negotiate a contract with Coatesville Solar Initiative for a $15 million to $20 million solar project.

If an agreement is reached, the district will buy its electricity from the developer, which will install the solar panels on its own dime on the rooftops of the seven school district buildings. The district also is considering installing panels on nearby hills.

The district will pay less for electricity with the solar panels than it does now, said Curt Baker, Moon's superintendent.

"The project benefits the environment, benefits the community, and is a help to our budget," he said.

The developer said Moon could save 10 percent on its energy bills for at least the next 20 years.

The goal, according to the superintendent and the developer, is to have the solar panels installed in Moon and ready to go by December 2016.

The developer also has responded to a request by the Bensalem Township School District in Bucks County for bids to install a solar system.

610-313-8207@MichaelleBond