NEW ROCHELLE, NY (September 30, 2025) — The City of New Rochelle is advancing its sustainability efforts by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to study the feasibility of installing a photovoltaic (solar) system at the New Rochelle Transit Center (NRTC) Garage. The initiative aims to evaluate the technical and financial viability of integrating solar panels and potential Distributed Energy Resources (DER) at the garage, a key component of the city’s Intermodal Transit Center (ITC).
The NRTC Garage, built in 2001, supports over 900 parking spaces, Westchester County Bee-Line bus services, ridesharing, and vehicle rentals. Located at the convergence of regional and local transit systems, the ITC connects to Metro-North’s New Haven Line and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, with direct access to Penn Station planned for 2027. The city seeks proposals from qualified energy and engineering firms to assess the garage’s structural capacity, recommend solar configurations, and explore integration with electric vehicle (EV) charging and battery storage systems.
“The work will assess the garage’s structural capacity, provide technical guidance on the optimal integration of solar panels and any feasible Distributed Energy Resources elements into the project, and develop bid materials for elements selected for implementation,” the RFP states.
The project includes a detailed scope of work, requiring firms to conduct structural evaluations, analyze load-bearing capacity for solar installations, and assess environmental factors like wind, snow, and seismic loads.
Firms must also evaluate interconnection feasibility with Con Edison, propose equipment specifications, and ensure compliance with industry standards and rebate programs. The RFP emphasizes non-proprietary equipment and long-term maintenance plans.
Financially, the city is exploring multiple ownership models, including city-owned systems, third-party power purchase agreements (PPAs), and community solar or hybrid models. Firms are tasked with developing cashflow models over a 20–25-year lifecycle, incorporating federal, state, and utility incentives such as IRA Direct Pay and NYSERDA NY-Sun programs.
“Provide lifecycle cost-benefit analysis to illustrate potential savings on municipal utility bills, including operations and maintenance costs,” the RFP directs.
The city requires respondents to demonstrate experience in structural assessments, utility design, solar project finance, and familiarity with relevant incentive programs. Proposals must include a transmittal letter, staff resumes, work samples, references, and a detailed fee structure. The evaluation process prioritizes experience (40 points), proposal quality and feasibility (40 points), and cost-efficiency (20 points).
Sealed proposals are due by October 22, 2025.
The anticipated timeline includes a Notice to Proceed in Q4 2025 or Q1 2026, with draft deliverables expected 4–5 weeks later and final deliverables within 7–8 weeks.
For more details, visit https://www.newrochelleny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21579/5826—Transit-Center-Solar?bidId=1033.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
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