Solar at the community recreation center and virtual net metering offtake

The City of New London, Connecticut, is seeking proposals from qualified clean energy developers for a comprehensive solar energy project through a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued on January 15, 2026. The procurement is divided into two primary components: a base bid for a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to develop, own, operate, and maintain a solar photovoltaic system at the New London Community Recreation Center (CRC), and an alternate bid for Virtual Net Metering (VNM) offtake serving State, Agricultural, and Municipal (SAM) beneficial accounts. The base bid requires developers to design and install a rooftop and/or carport solar array at 1 Recreation Way, with full responsibility for system decommissioning at the contract's end. The alternate bid seeks up to 9 MW-AC of VNM systems to offset up to 12,000,000 kWh annually from the City's Eversource Beneficial Accounts. Evaluation criteria will focus on financial benefits, bidder qualifications, municipal solar project experience, NRES program expertise, and design quality. Key dates include a non-mandatory site visit on January 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM, question submission deadline of January 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM, and proposal due date of February 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM, with a preliminary selection notice expected by February 18, 2026.

The RFP allows for a 15 percent local vendor preference for New London-based businesses, with bids falling within 15 percent of the low bid receiving consideration. Eligible bidders must demonstrate significant experience in municipal solar development, comprehensive knowledge of Connecticut regulatory requirements, and expertise in the Non-residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) Program. The City qualifies for a 20% bid preference as a distressed municipality under the NRES program, which is non-additive to the base bid price. Proposers must provide performance bonds equal to 100 percent of the contract price for projects exceeding $50,000 and maintain commercial general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. An RFP fee structure is established, requiring $0.06 per Watt-DC for technical services and $0.02 per Watt-DC for legal services, payable in three installments throughout the project lifecycle. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the project encompasses up to 9 MW-AC of solar systems with a 20-year PPA, suggesting a potentially significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure for the City of New London.