Town hall is Feb. 9 to consider installing solar to cut power costs

GRF FACILITIES COMMITTEE

The GRF Board will hold a town hall on Feb. 9 in Clubhouse 4 from 2-4 p.m. to discuss plans to install various solar projects in Leisure World, including solar panels on a strip of otherwise unoccupied land on Westminster Boulevard and rooftop solar for several clubhouses and the Administration building.

The 2026 GRF budget line item for Trust property-related electricity cost is $587,600.

In terms of the 2026 GRF carrying charges, that accounted for $7.41 per month for each residential unit.

California’s electricity costs have risen dramatically, with residential rates surging around 47-96% between 2019-2024, significantly outpacing national averages and inflation.

The GRF Facilities Committee has been evaluating one alternative that could save electricity costs in the near term and control increases far into the future.

That alternative is to install a solar farm on the unused strip of GRF property between the Leisure World wall and Westminster Boulevard.

In response to a request for proposal (RFP) issued by GRF, one bidder projected a significant reduction in electricity costs during the first year of operation and reaches into seven figures over the next 30 years.

All are welcome to attend the town hall to give opinions on the issue.

The Facilities Committee plans to complete deliberations, including public comments, in time to present to the GRF Board at its Feb. 24 board meeting.

GRF Board meetings are on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 4.

All are welcome to attend the meetings.