Delaware Code Title 29. State Government § 6973. Authorization

(a) An agency may enter into an energy performance contract with a qualified provider to reduce energy or operational costs of an agency facility through one or more energy conservation measures. Cost savings work shall comply with state or local building codes.

(b) An agency may enter into a performance contract structured as an installment payment contract or lease-purchase agreement for the purchase and installation of cost-saving measures. Financing, including tax exempt financing, implemented through an entity other than the qualified provider is authorized.

(c) The agency may enter into an energy performance contract with a qualified provider if the agency finds that the amount the agency would spend on the energy conservation measures will not exceed the amount to be saved in both energy and operational costs for up to 20 years from the date of installation.

(d) The qualified provider shall be selected pursuant to § 6924 of this title.

(e) The selected qualified provider shall prepare a financial grade energy audit which, upon acceptance, shall be part of the final performance contract which shall be executed with the agency. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if after preparation of the financial grade energy audit the governmental unit decides not to execute a performance contract, then the costs incurred in preparing such financial grade energy audit shall be paid to the qualified provider by the agency, otherwise the costs of the financial grade energy audit shall be deemed part of the costs of the performance contract.

(f) Simultaneous with the execution of a contract for energy conservation measures, the agency shall require the qualified provider to provide a payment and performance bond relating to the installation of energy conservation measures in the amount equal to 100% of the value of the performance contract.

(g) Where appropriate, agencies shall determine cost-effectiveness based on the life-cycle costs of combinations of conservation measures, particularly to encourage bundling of energy efficiency projects with onsite generation and renewable energy projects.