Johnson Controls presents La Crosse performance-contract results; company says city retains all guaranteed savings

Doug Carlson of Johnson Controls told the Climate Action Plan Steering Committee the city’s four-phase energy performance contracting program produced measurable energy and financial benefits across municipal buildings and streetlights. Carlson said the program installed roughly 11 systems producing about 0.8 megawatts of annual generation and that the implemented investment was "just over 14,000,000," with project benefits over 20 years estimated at "15,000,000."

Carlson summarized phase results, saying the combined partnership reduced energy costs by about $1,400,000 to date and cut electric consumption by roughly 12,000,000 kilowatt‑hours. He reported annual savings and capital and operations benefits across the phases, and said phase 4 (a one‑year measurement and verification contract) generated $69,000 in energy savings and exceeded its guaranteed savings by $2,700. Carlson also presented an estimated decarbonization impact of "10,000 metric tons of CO2" avoided across all four phases.

"Johnson Controls does not provide any shared savings types of contracts," Carlson said during the committee’s question-and-answer session. "Whatever is generated goes directly to you. If we're short of the guarantee, if we don't generate enough savings, then we write you a check. If there are excess savings, then you keep it all." The committee asked whether utility savings would revert to the contractor; Carlson replied they would not.

On technical performance, Carlson said some sites, including Copeland Park Stadium, produced more solar generation than anticipated after the team installed slightly different inverters and panels than originally estimated. He noted other sites were "pretty much right on" target and that total measured benefits to date totaled about $2,900,000 across the phases. Carlson outlined next-step options for the city, including continuing rooftop or ground‑mounted solar, exploring power‑purchase agreements with third‑party financing, pairing PV systems with batteries to increase on‑site coverage, and purchasing green power to cover remaining loads.

Committee members asked practical questions about scaling (rooftop vs. ground‑mounted panels), EV charging, and whether battery storage could increase building load covered by renewables; Carlson said PPAs and battery-integrated systems could meaningfully increase on‑site renewable contribution—perhaps to 20–30% for some buildings depending on system design. The presentation was received for information; no formal action was taken on the report itself at the meeting.

The committee’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 10.