Following the installation of an array of solar panels to power Eisenhower High School in Blue Island and the Delta Learning Center in Crestwood, District 218 officials felt optimistic about the savings that would come with the transition to renewable energy
“If that savings turns out to be what they’re telling us, then obviously we could reallocate those funds to something else — student supplies, etc.,” District 218 business manager Anthony Corsi told the Daily Southtown in December.
But eight months after the panels were installed at Eisenhower and more than a year after they began operating the Delta Learning Center, Corsi said the district has yet to see any of the savings promised when the schools qualified for Illinois Solar For All, a state program to finance the installation of solar panels for low-income communities at no upfront cost.
He said he believes savings from solar energy at Eisenhower High School will begin to show up within the next two billing cycles, but they are struggling to understand financial trends at the Delta Learning Center because of inaccurate bills sent from utility ComEd. Problems with billing stem from the poorly executed launch of a computer system in February that for solar customers has continued into the summer, Corsi said.
“One of the issues that came up with Delta was that ComEd didn’t apply the solar panels to the bills when they came in, they had to rebill us,” Corsi said Friday. “I think we will establish a pattern, but there have still been some billing disruptions.”
“So I’d love to say we’re seeing X amount of savings per month,” he said, “but it’s just been a little too chaotic for us to say, ‘OK, now this is what we’re seeing.’
However, Corsi said he remains optimistic the solar grant will prove worthwhile despite the many headaches it has caused.
“Ultimately, I think it will have a positive impact,” Corsi said. “I have yet to see energy prices go down, so any kind of savings we can get will be worth it.”
ComEd did not immediately respond to questions about District 218 billing issues.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com