Following the installation of an array of solar panels to power Eisenhower High School in Blue Island and Delta Learning Center in Crestwood, District 218 officials felt optimistic about the savings that would come with the shift to renewable energy
“If that saving comes out to being what they are telling us, then we would be able to obviously reallocate those funds to something else — student’s materials, 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 fueling Delta Learning Center, Corsi said the district has not yet seen any of the savings promised when the schools qualified for Illinois Solar For All, a state program to fund installing solar panels for low-income communities at no upfront cost.
He said he believes savings from solar energy at Eisenhower High School will begin showing up within the next two billing cycles, but they are struggling to understand economic trends at Delta Learning Center due to incorrect bills sent from energy company ComEd. Issues with billing stem from the poorly executed launch of a computer system in February that for solar customers have continued into this summer, Corsi said.
“One of the problems that occurred with Delta was that ComEd did not apply the solar panels to the bills as they came in, they had to rebill us,” Corsi said Friday. “I think we’re going to establish a pattern, but there’s still been some billing disruptions.”
“So I’d love to say we’re seeing we’re saving an X amount per month,” he said, “but it’s just been a little too chaotic for us to say, like, ‘OK, now this is what we’re seeing.’”
However, Corsi said he remains optimistic the solar grant will prove worthwhile despite the many headaches its caused.
“Ultimately I think it’s going to be a positive impact,” Corsi said. “I have yet to see energy prices go down, so any type of savings we can get will be worth it.”
ComEd did not immediately respond to questions about District 218 billing issues.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com