HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.04 - 2045 Bay Area SunShares Program
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STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
DATE: June 19, 2018
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM:
Christopher L. Foss, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Bay Area SunShares Program
Prepared by: Rebecca Parnes, Environmental Technician
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider participation in the Bay Area SunShares Program which
is a program that provides residents with discounted options to purchase rooftop solar,
electric vehicles, and electric vehicle charging stations.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Resolution Approving Participation in the Bay Area SunShares Program.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no direct cost to participate in the Bay Area SunShares Program (SunShares).
Should the City Council choose to participate, minimal Staff time would be needed for
SunShares promotion to residents.
DESCRIPTION:
The Bay Area SunShares Program (SunShares) is a limited -time group buying program
to help connect residents to affordable alternative energy options. SunShares is
administered by the nonprofit Business Council on Climate Change (BC3) and is a
clean energy procurement program offering discounts and education on residential solar
and zero emission vehicles (ZEVs).
SunShares provides support to reduce the complexity and cost of reside ntial solar,
buying or leasing ZEVs, and residential electric vehicle charging stations. The program
pools the buying power of the community to secure lower up -front purchase pricing and
financing options. Through a Request for Proposals process, BC3 vets solar, electric
vehicle, and electric vehicle charging station manufacturers and uses the collective
buying power of the program participants to secure low costs and financing options.
BC3 provides technical guidance, workshops and webinars for program p articipants.
Residents who sign up can receive a no cost, no obligation solar site evaluation, a
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discount code for participating electric vehicle dealerships, and more information. All
contracts related to SunShares are between private property owners and the selected
vendor(s), and program participation is completely voluntary for residents.
SunShares is offered to municipalities, organizations, and corporate employers in the
Bay Area. In 2017, more than 50 cities and large employers participated in the program
including the cities of Albany, Fremont, Hayward, Lafayette, Oakland, San Leandro,
Union City, and Walnut Creek, as well as the employees of Whole Foods and Workday.
Cities that partner with SunShares commit to promoting the program at least twice a
month via e-blasts, social media, workshops, or other effective modes of
communication. The 2018 program will run from August 1 to November 15. SunShares
provides draft promotional content for partners to use or adapt. All educational
workshops are hosted by BC3 and are an opportunity for residents to learn more about
residential solar in a classroom style setting and be connected directly to the pre -vetted
solar providers who are present to answer questions and get residents started on
individualized alternative energy projects. Residents who chose to participate in the
program benefit from the streamlined purchasing experience and discounted costs.
Participation in SunShares supports furthering goals outlined in the City of Dublin’s
Climate Action Plan. In 2013, the City of Dublin adopted an updated Climate Action
plan with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 15% below 2010
levels by 2020. Two specific measures on reducing GHG emissions that a partnership
with SunShares helps address are increasing the number of charging stations and
residential solar installations. As per the City of Dublin’s 2015 GHG inventory,
emissions from passenger vehicles accounted for 39% of total community wide
emissions making up the largest source of emissions in the City. An increase in electric
vehicle use instead of gasoline vehicles will help reduce emissions from passenger
vehicles. Residential energy consumption accounted for 7% of total GHG emissions in
2015. Increased residential solar installations reduce emissions from residential energy
consumption.
The Resolution (Attachment 1) and Letter of Commitment (Attachment 2) would
approve the City’s participation in SunShares. Partnership with the program requires
minimal staff time and helps further the City of Dublin’s GHG emissions reduction goals
outlined in the City of Dublin Climate Action Plan.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
None.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution Approving Participation in the Bay Area SunShares Program
2. SunShares Letter of Commitment
RESOLUTION NO. xx-18
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
***********
APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE BAY AREA SUNSHARES PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City of Dublin has a Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions to 15% below 2010 levels by 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government has extended renewable energy tax credits
to 2019, giving homeowners an extended period to claim this credit; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to reduce the cost to residents of purchasing solar
installations, electric vehicles, and electric vehicle charging stations, and to inform and
educate residents about the benefits of these technologies which help the City meet its
Climate Action Plan goals; and
WHEREAS, solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source with no greenhouse
gas emissions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Dublin
does hereby approve participation with the Bay Area SunShares Program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is authorized to execute a
letter of commitment with the Business Council on Climate Change (BC3) to affirm the
City of Dublin’s participation in the Bay Area SunShares Program.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of June 2018 by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
_____________________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________________
City Clerk
June 19, 2018
Christina Armor
Program Director, SunShares Manager
Business Council on Climate Change
1455 Market Street, 12th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Re: Participation in the SunShares 2018 Program
Dear Miss Armor:
I am pleased to provide this letter in support of the collaborative solar and zero-
emission vehicle (ZEV) education and discount “SunShares” program
administered by the Business Council on Climate Change (BC3).
The City of Dublin believes the proposed program will help to overcome soft-
cost barriers impeding broad market transformation of residential rooftop solar
and ZEVs by enabling homeowners to voluntarily participate in a group education
and discount program. Participating as a partner city can help to meet goals
outlined in our Climate Action Plan.
The City of Dublin welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with BC3 and its
program partners on this innovative program and will use our communication
channels to reach our residents. We may also promote the program to local
business employees and community group members throughout the program
term. The City of Dublin commits to the following:
1. Provide BC3 with contact information for, and make introductions to, relevant
City staff and community stakeholders who can reach City residents as a part of
the programs outreach strategy. The main City staff point of contact is: Rebecca
Parnes, Environmental Technician, rebecca.parnes@dublin.ca.gov, 925-452-
2150.
2. The City of Dublin understands that it will initiate contact with community
groups on behalf of the SunShares program, which will enable BC3 to follow up
with interested community groups to coordinate outreach efforts.
3. The City of Dublin will draft an outreach plan and conduct outreach to
residents to promote program availability using internal communication channels
which may include email blasts, utility bill inserts, neighborhood associations,
social media outlets, newsletters, and/or posters. The City will report back to BC3
on the number of outreach contacts made.
4. BC3 will provide the City and our community partners with formatted
electronic files to conduct outreach to community members.
Sincerely,
Christopher L. Foss
City Manager