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CITY CLERK
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AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: October 21, 2008
SUBJECT: Participation in the Solar Cities Program
Report Prepared by: Christopher L. Foss,
Assistant City Manager
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Solar Cities Program report
2. Solar Cities Website pages
RECOMMENDATION: Provide Staff direction regarding entering into a Memorandum of
Understanding (M.O.U.) with the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton
for the Solar Cities Program.
DESCRIPTION: For the past several years, the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton have
worked together to design acommunity-wide, customer-friendly photovoltaic purchasing program. The
two cities entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) in early 2008 to share the costs of
developing the design of the photovoltaic program.
The cities worked with Spectrum Energy Inc. on the design of the program. The cities, along with
Spectrum Energy, conducted stakeholders meetings to receive comments from residents and business
representatives on the design of the program, and the community response was supportive, with easy
access to information and resources seen as the key component to consumers taking the first steps toward
the purchase of a photovoltaic system. The program, entitled the Solar Cities Program (see Attachment
1), was adopted by the City of Livermore in January 2008 and by the City of Livermore in February 2008.
The program is designed to enhance the use and implementation of photovoltaic (PV) projects. The goal
of the program is to educate consumers and provide assistance to facilitate informed decision making
regarding the purchase of a PV system and to ensure that consumers receive all monetary incentives
available through the California Solar Initiative program and Federal Tax Credits. In addition, the Solar
Cities Program benefits both consumers by providing a list of qualified installers. The focus of the
program is on residential homes at this point, but can be expanded over time to include the new home,
existing commercial, and new commercial segments.
The City of Dublin has been approached to join the Solar Cities Program and make the information
available to Dublin residents and businesses. The cities of Livermore and Pleasanton have created the
COPY TO:
Page 1 of 2
ITEM NO.
G:\Chris\Solar CitiesWgenda Statement October 2008.doc
Solar Cities Program website (see Attachment 2) and are working on additional outreach materials
including, but not limited to, program brochures, utility bill stuffers, links to information on City websites,
public meetings with interested parties, cable TV spots, etc. Staff is requesting City Council direction as
to the potential of entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the cities of Livermore and
Pleasanton for the Solar Cities program. If the City were interested in joining forces, the expected costs of
revising the Solar Cities' website and additional outreach materials would be approximately $3,500 for
FY 2008-09.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council provide Staff direction
regarding entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) with the cities of Livermore and
Pleasanton for the Solar Cities program.
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Proposed Solar Cities Program Plan
Solar Cities (Livermore & Pleasanton) Program
Objective: With the assistance of Spectrum Energy Inc., SEI (Contractor), the Cities of Livermore and
Pleasanton have developed this proposed plan to implement a set of community-wide solar
development, commercialization, and customer assistance programs, commonly referred to as the Solar
Cities Program (SCP), or the Solar Livermore Program (SLP) and the Solar Pleasanton Program (SPP).
Planning & Program Design:
This proposed plan is the result of a collaborative planning process with consensus from various major
local stakeholders affected by the Solar Cities Program. This included residents, City staff and officials,
commercial property owners, new home developers, local architects, engineers, design professionals,
and solar industry representatives from Livermore and Pleasanton. Two public meetings were held on
June 1, 2007 in Livermore to present the draft elements of this plan and to gather stakeholder feedback
and comments. The draft plan was received favorably and the final Proposed Plan has incorporated the
results of that review process.
In developing the Solar Cities Program, the focus was on five core market segments, each with a
different emphasis to reflect their unique needs and opportunities. These are:
1. Existing residential retrofit
2. New residential developments
3. Existing commercial
4. New commercial
5. City owned facilities
Program Summaries:
Existing Residential Retrofit -- Solar Buyer's Club:
The proposed Solar Buyer's Club is a simple, low cost approach to make it easier and cheaper to install
residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on existing homes. The Buyer's Club brings interested
residential PV buyers and Contractors together and reduces the costs to install a PV system using
various incentives so the home-owner pays less and the Contractor gets more business. In return for
referrals and other incentives, the participating contractors would agree to offer discounted PV systems
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to Buyer's Club customers and provide rebate services as required for State of California and Investor
Owned Utilities. The Buyer's Club discount is expected to be about 10 - 20% off of standard pricing.
New Residential Developments -Solar Developments Program:
The Solar Development Program promotes the installation of residential PV systems in new home
developments. Training assistance for developers in conjunction with the cities' existing Green
Building Programs and public relations support would be provided. The Solar Developments Program,
like the Buyer's Club, benefits the Solar Cities, new home buyers, developers, and PV installers.
Existing and New Commercial -Solar Means Business Program:
The Solar Means Business Program promotes the installation of PV systems on existing and new
commercial buildings. The Program is a simple, low cost approach to make it easier to install solar
photovoltaic (PV) systems on existing and new commercial buildings, operating through the Cities'
existin Green Building Ordinances and support programs, as well as the existing project permitting
process with a minimum of additional staff time. Based on the level of PV contribution to the building's
electric load, a participant would be given enhanced "green" credits that may be included with other
green attributes to establish an overall LEED score for compliance with the Cities' Green Building
Ordinances and programs.
City Owned Facilities -Solar Civic Program:
The Solar Civic Program promotes the installation of PV systems on existing city facilities and the
incorporation of solar in the development of new civic buildings. The Solar Civic Program maximizes
the effective inclusion of PV in the design of new facilities. The Program also promotes retrofitting key
existing facilities by identifying suitable sites for PV, including PV in defining the scope of projects,
developing PV technical specifications for RFPs, evaluating contractor proposals, advising on contract
awards, monitoring construction, and verifying system performance during commissioning.
Proposed Program Plans
Existing Residential Retrofit:
Placing PV systems on existing residences offer the best opportunity to serve the largest portion of the
existing community directly, but they also can be the most expensive in terms of unit cost, marketing,
and the expenditure of organizational resources. Residences vary greatly in their attributes: they have
different orientations, shading, roof material, roof layouts, roof age, and load characteristics. The "Solar
Buyer's Club" program was developed to reach the greatest number of willing participants.
Solar Buyer's Club:
Objective: To simplify and reduce the cost of the installation of residential solar photovoltaic (PV)
systems on existing homes in the Cities of Livermore and Pleasanton.
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The Solar Cities would promote the Buyer's Club by advertising through flyers, bill stuffers,
and their Internet web sites. The information would describe how the Club works and
include a simple self evaluation form to determine the potential for PV. The form would ask
basic questions like:
a. What type of roof do you have (composition shingle, clay, concrete tile, flat)?
b. How old is the roof?
c. Does it face South, Southeast or Southwest?
c. Approximately how many square feet face this direction?
d. Is there any shading from about 9 A.M. to 4 P.M.?
The form may also have a map of the city to help residents determine their orientation. To
encourage participation, the process is designed to be accomplished in one step with simple-
to-answer questions.
2. The Cities would also solicit regional PV contractors to join the Buyer's Club. In return for
referrals and other incentives, the participating contractors would agree to offer discounted
PV systems to Buyer's Club customers. They would also provide information, such as their
experience, a description and price list of the standard pre-designed PV systems that they are
offering, a list of completed projects with pertinent information to facilitate conducting
reference checks, and comments from Buyer's Club customers. The information will be
continually updated to include current information. Contractors will want to participate due
to the benefits from the Solar Cities' advertising and the aggregation and prescreening of
potential clients. The Solar Cities may elect to use a consultant to help solicit the potential
contractors.
3. The resident would then pass on the self-evaluation survey to the Buyer's Club participating
contractor(s) of their choice for follow up. At this point the transactions will be between the
customer and the Buyer's Club contractor.
4. The PV contractor would then arrange to install a standard pre-designed, pre-approved
Buyer's Club PV system at a Buyer's Club discount. The pre-designed systems may offer
several standard sizes, like 1.5 and 3.0 kW. The resident may choose a different sized
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Goals:
1. Make the process as simple as possible
2. Reduce the costs of installed PV systems by non-cash incentives
3. Pass the cost reductions to city residences via a Buyer's Club discount
4. Maximize the sales for participating contractors and suppliers
5. Maximize the benefits to the cities and residences
6. Minimize City staff involvement and budget
In summary, the proposed Solar Buyer's Club is a simple, low cost approach to make it easier
and cheaper to install residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on existing homes in the Cities of
Livermore and Pleasanton. Rather than offering cash rebates like the State of California and the Investor
Owned Utilities, the Buyer's Club brings interested residential PV buyers and Contractors together and
reduces the costs to install a PV system by various incentives so the home-owner pays less.
How it works:
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system, but the Buyer's Club prices would not necessarily apply because the costs could
increase due to a customized design.
5. The Buyer's Club discount will probably be about 10 - 20% off of standard pricing. The
discount is made possible by reduced transaction costs. The Buyer's Club PV contractor
passes on these savings to the Buyer's Club customer. The customer can also benefit from
standard utility rebate programs and federal and state tax credits to further reduce system
costs. The contractor would help the customer obtain these additional benefits.
6. Besides advertising, aggregating and pre-screening potential customers, the City could help
reduce installation costs by offering the following additional incentives:
a. Priority processing: over-the-counter approval of the standard, pre-designed Buyer's
Club PV systems
b. Expedited inspections
c. Potential waiver of property taxes on the increased property value attributable to the
PV system. This would require coordination with the County. Existing State law
exempts solar system from property taxes. However, different counties have different
interpretations and implementation procedures.
7. To assure that the first customer experiences are positive, the Cities may provide assistance
to the first ten or so customers who are navigating through the buying process. This may be
provided by a consultant.
8. Customer evaluations are important indications of quality issues and a vital component of the
Buyer's Club data base. Post installation evaluations should be easy to fill out with boxes to
check and space for comments. They should also have self addressed envelopes to encourage
customers to fill them out and submit them for the data base. Recognition may be given out
when an evaluation is submitted (to be worked out later). A staff person or consultant may
also do quality control spot checks, perhaps on the first three projects followed subsequently
by one in ten. Once a good data base of contractor perfonmance is obtained, quality control
should be self-correcting.
Program Benefits: The Buyer's Club benefits the City, the customer and the participating PV
contractor. The City benefits from a PV program that is easy to administer and is low cost. The
customer benefits from price discounts, a simplified buying experience, and greater confidence because
of the participation of the city in the'process. The PV contractor benefits from increased business and
lower transaction costs, which are passed through to the customer.
New Residential Developments:
Solar Developments Program:
Objective: To simplify and reduce the cost of the installation of residential PV systems in new home
developments in the Cities of Livermore and Pleasanton.
Goals:
1. Make the process as simple as possible,
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2. Maximize the benefits to the cities and new home residences,
3. Maximize the benefits to new home developers,
4. Minimize City staff involvement and budget.
Existing State sponsored legislation exists to promote the installation of PV systems in new home
developments in California. The New Solar Home Partnership, administered by the California Energy
Commission (CEC), has a goal of placing PV on 50% of new homes in 13 years. It uses a carrot and
stick approach of incentives and mandates. As a stick, it requires new home builders to offer PV as a
standard option on new developments with 50 or more homes by 2011. The new homes must also have
energy efficiency features. As a carrot, monetary incentives worth $400 million are also offered for
smaller developments that have PV as a construction component.
The cities of Livermore and Pleasanton have opportunities to boost the CEC program by using their
existing programs and staff for little or no additional cost.
How it works:
1. City planning and permit departments would work with developers who are PV friendly
during the planning process. This does not cause additional costs for the cities, but does
provide tangible cost benefits to the developer, for whom time and resources spent
coordinating project approvals with local governments can be substantial.
2. Training assistance for developers could be provided in conjunction with the cities' existing
Green Building Programs.
3. Press releases and other public relations support and formal recognition for solar
achievements could be provided. A Solar Cities designation could be provided to
developments and specific housing units that install PV systems as standard features on their
homes and go beyond the minimum number of points required by the Cities' Green Building
Programs. Positive public images are highly regarded by developers to boost business.
Program Benefits: The new residential segment, like the Buyer's Club, benefits the Solar Cities, new
home buyers, developers, and the PV industry. The cities benefit from a PV program that is easy to
administer and is low or no cost because it is incorporated within existing programs. The new home
buyer benefits from the advantages derived from clean, renewable solar energy. The developer benefits
from reduced project costs resulting from streamlined processes and potentially higher densities and the
PV industry benefits from increased business. Again, the process uses existing city programs and staff
to maximum benefit.
Existing and New Commercial:
Solar Means Business Program:
Objective: To simplify and reduce the cost of the installation of commercial solar photovoltaic (PV)
systems on existing and new commercial buildings in the Cities of Livermore and Pleasanton.
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Goals:
1. Reach out to the community,
2. Assist building owners to make informed choices about the use of solar systems,
3. Connect building owners with qualified system designers and installers,
4. Reduce owner installation costs and promote program participants as much as possible,
5. Make the process as simple as possible,
6. Minimize the City's program budget & staff time requirements,
7. Maximize benefits to the City and its customers,
8. Maximize sales for participating contractors and suppliers,
9. Tie into and become part of City's "Green Buildings" Programs.
10. Provide City recognition to project owners and project teams who go beyond the norm.
In summary, the proposed Commercial Program is a simple, low cost approach to make it easier to
install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on existing and new commercial buildings. Training and public
workshops will be conducted to prepare City staff for implementation, develop public awareness, and
offer assistance to potential program participants. PV Program and system design training will be
provided through the existing City Green Building programs.
How it works:
1. The Solar Cities would promote the Commercial Program through various public, business and
professional communications including City websites, newsletters, displays and notices. A
program informational brochure will be developed to inform potential participants, provide
guidance on program procedures and support for system decision-making. Specific elements of
the brochure will include:
• A program description and guidance on program participation
• The project planning and design process
• Program procedures and requirements consistent with the normal project permitting
process
• PV system designer and installer qualifications criteria
• Green building program documentation requirement
• The PG&E CSI incentive program
• Resources for obtaining further PV information and guidance
2. PG&E will play a vital role in the technical and financial support of program participants by
providing system design support, California Solar Initiative (CSI) funding, inspections of utility
installations and CSI program processing assistance. Therefore, it will be necessary for each City
to designate a utility liaison to handle questions and issues that will arise as the Solar City and
California Solar Initiative programs are implemented.
3. Program incentives and credits will be provided in four levels of participation based on the PV
system contribution to annual electrical energy costs. This is consistent with the Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design Program (LEED) and most other local and regional green
building programs. Based on the level of PV participation (see item 4 below}, a participant
would be given enhanced "green" credits for the level of installed PV that may be included with
other green attributes to establish an overall LEED score for compliance with the Cities' Green
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Building Ordinances and programs. Additional incentives at progressively higher participation
levels will include letters of congratulations, press releases recognizing the project and project
team members, and formal City Council recognition for participation at the highest levels.
4. Four levels of participation and credits: Livermore Pleasanton
• SUNSHINE -The project includes some PV; 1 1
PV contribution at 2.5% of load or less or
• POWER -increased PV contribution; 2 2
PV contribution at 2.6 to 7.5% of load or
• POWER PLUS - significant PV contribution; 6 7
PV contribution at 7.6 to 25% of load or
• POWER PLANT -maximum PV contribution; 10 13
PV contribution at 26% of load or more
It is expected that most projects would participate at the lower levels of the program with fewer
participants at the higher levels that require a significant financial effort to reach. However, all
projects going through the permitting process whether existing or new, large or small will be able
to participate at some level of the program. They will also have the flexibility to use the types of
systems and designs that meet their specific project needs.
5. The typical sequence for a proposed project in the planning, design and construction process
would include:
• Program promoted by the City (Website, program brochure, etc.)
• Customer expresses interest in participation
• Project assigned to City Permit Center
• Customer identifies PV potential for project
• Customer commits to PV level (% contribution)
• Customer pre-qualifies and selects PV designers and installers for the project
• Customer coordinates with PG&E
• Customer submits final design for permit and as part of the City Green Building Program if
applicable
• City determines PV Program participation level during plan check and documents level
• Customer receives congratulations letter at issuance of the Occupancy permit
• Customer receives appropriate Program recognition for project and team members
Note that the customer carries most of the load and City staff merely provides support that is
within the scope of existing City programs.
6. Program responsibilities aze distributed between the Cities, program participants, and Pacific Gas
& Electric Company, as follows:
• 'The Solar Cities (Livermore and Pleasanton):
The Solar Cities are responsible for program development, promotion and support through
existing staffing, special consultants on an as needed basis, program coordination with PG&E
and integration into the existing Green Building Programs. Program support will be provided
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primarily by customer services, permitting and green building staff and others for circumstances
that may require special attention.
• The Program Participant:
Program participants are responsible for obtaining available program information, selection of
their project design teams, which will include architects, engineers, and PV contractors who will
provide technical support for system design and construction. The project team will provide
project design and construction, permitting submittals and utility coordination for the project.
• Pacific Gas & Electric:
PG&E is responsible for support of the California Solar Initiative (CSI) which includes technical
support, available financial incentives, PV system utility inspections and coordination with the
project team and City permitting staff.
Program Benefits: The existing and new commercial program benefits the City, the customer and the
participating PV contractor. The City benefits from a PV program that is incorporated within the
existing Green Building Program; hence, it is easy to administer and is low cost. The customer benefits
from city assistance, increased LEED credits, and greater confidence because of the participation of the
City in the process. The PV contractor benefits from increased business arising from more commercial
PV development. The project owner and entire project team benefit from the recognition they receive
for going beyond standard practices and demonstrating their ability to increase building energy
performance and minimize environmental impacts.
City Owned Facilities:
Solar Civic Program:
Objective: To simplify and reduce the cost of the expanded installation of PV systems on existing city
facilities as well as incorporating solar in the development of new civic buildings and facilities in the
Cities of Livermore and Pleasanton.
Goals:
1. Make the process as simple as possible
2. Minimize the City's program budget & staff time requirements
3. Maximize benefits to the City and the community
4. Set the example for the community
To make the community-wide solaz program successful under the Cities' leadership, Livermore and
Pleasanton are setting the example by installing PV systems on existing city facilities as well as future
buildings. The process will maximize the effective inclusion of PV in the design of new facilities and
retrofitting key existing facilities by identifying suitable sites for PV, including PV in defining the scope
of projects, developing PV technical specifications for RFPs, evaluating contractor proposals, advising
on contract awards, monitoring construction, and verifying system performance during commissioning.
City staff will also continue to "champion" the application of PV into city facilities and facilitate access
to technical support for other projects considering the use of PV systems.
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How it works:
The Solar Cities would inspect existing city facilities for their solar potential with consulting
help, as necessary. Prospective buildings, for example, include the Livermore Library, the City
Hall, and airport hangars in Livermore as well as the Police Department, Public Library
(carports), Aquatic Center, and the joint city/PUSD gyms at three middle schools in Pleasanton.
Other large city buildings are also candidates. Sites that are desirable would have good solar
exposure, significant electric bills with higher end use rates, and good public education
opportunities. Non-economic program benefits may be considered in the evaluations.
2. Based on the initial evaluation and economic analysis, afollow-on design and procurement
package would be developed and implemented, again with consulting help, as necessary.
3. The Cities would seek partnerships similar to what is already taking place with City schools.
4. The Cities would plan future facilities for the inclusion of solar as part of the Green Building
process.
Program Benefits: The city-owned facilities program benefits the Cities, the community, and the
participating PV contractor. The Cities benefit from a PV program that brands them as progressive and
leaders within the greater Bay area. The community benefits from increased clean, renewable
generating resources. The PV contractor benefits from increased business arising from more PV
development within the community.
Additional Items:
Integration of PV and Energy Efficiency:
A key to improving the cost effectiveness of PV installations is the incorporation of energy efficiency
and energy management strategies. By reducing electrical loads, the positive impact of the PV system is
increased and the overall effort becomes more cost effective. Therefore, the consideration of program
strategies that incorporate energy efficiency measures (including solar hot water and other renewable
load reducing approaches) in the program will result in a whole building, comprehensive reduction in
energy demand through an integrated energy efficiency and photovoltaic system offering is also
proposed.
Code Officials Worksho
Key code officials from each city should attend one of the upcoming Solar PV Training Course for
Building & Electrical Inspectors/Oj~cials, Installers and Designers. As part of the Solar Cities Program,
the Solar Cities will sponsor the workshop for broader attendance of city staff and other Code
Departments from the region.
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Next Steps -Staffing and Budget:
1. Solar Buyer's Club:
a. Estimated effort for consultant for budget purposes:
• Develop customer self-evaluation 8 hrs
Questionnaire and contractor evaluation forms
• Research and recommend contractor qualifications 24
• Reseazch regional PV contractors 8
• Organize meeting with help from city to explain 32
Program and elicit PV contractor participation
• Conduct meetings 80
• Collect data for city staff 40
Subtotal 192 hrs
Estimated total consultant labor, travel and expenses $ 30,000
Cost per city $15,000
• Option 1: Provide consultant technical support to 24 hrs
Permit office, as needed, for review and approval
of Buyer's Club systems offered by participating
contractors
Estimated total consultant labor, travel and expenses $ 4,000
Cost per city $ 2,000
• Option 2: Provide consultant assistance to Customers 84 hrs
in the eazly stages to help them navigate the buying
process as well as quality control (QC) checks of select
completed projects; assume 10 customers (6 hrs/customer)
plus 4 QC checks (6 hrs/check)
Estimated total consultant labor, travel and expenses $ 15,000
Cost per city $ 7,500
Total estimated consultant cost per city: $ 24,500 ($49,000 total).
Note: New residential is not included as it is assumed to require no significant new resources.
b. Estimated additional city staff time, exclusive of consulting time: 60 hrs per city (120 hrs total)
c. Estimated Performance Period for Consultant: 18 weeks from "go ahead" for basic services
without follow-on services (customer assistance and QC checks).
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2. Existing and New Commercial:
a. Estimated effort for city staff and consultant services for budget purposes:
Staff Labor Consultant hrs
• Coordination with PG&E 40 hrs
• Revise LEED form to reflect PV changes 16
• Prepare program recognition documents 24
• Program organization 96
• PV program brochure 80
• Consulting support 70 hrs
Total 256 hrs 70 hrs
Estimated total consultant labor, travel and expenses: $10,500
Total per city 128 hrs (staff labor), $ 5,250 (consultant
cost)
Note: Consultants may be used in lieu of staff for some of task hours.
3. City-owned Facilities and Additional Items:
a. Estimated effort for city staff and consultant services for budget purposes:
Staff Labor Consultant hrs
• Prepare criteria for facility inspections,
Coordinate with consultants, as needed
• Develop Training Program for city staff
• Develop Training Program for Public
Total
Estimated tots
Total per city
40 TBD, case-by-case
40 54
40 54
120 hrs. 108 hrs
1 consultant labor, travel and expenses: $16,500
60 hrs (staff labor), $ 8,250 (consultant
. cost)
4. Summary of Staff Time and Consultant's Fees per City:
Staff Time Consultant Costs
Buyer's Club 60 hrs $ 24,500
Existing and New Commercial 128 hrs $ 5,250
City Owned Facilities and Additional Items 60 hrs $ 8,250
TOTAL Per City: 248 hrs $ 38,000
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EXAMPLES OF EXISTING SOLAR RELATED CITY PROGRAMS
Pleasanton Generator Siting Ordinance
In June of 2001, the Pleasanton Energy Advisory Group (EAG) was formed to assist staff with Council
priorities related to energy. The first two major efforts of the EAG were to develop a Generator Siting
Ordinance (GSO) and formulate the City of Pleasanton's Energy Plan (both documents can be found in
the City website in the Planning Department section). The GSO is a comprehensive effort to address the
production of electricity in relation to "land use." The ordinance enacted regulations for all types and
sizes of generators including photovoltaic facilities, fuel cells, wind power facilities, gas generators, and
emergency generators. The GSO establishes where these facilities can be located in the City and
establishes rules in regards to odor, air pollution, toxic and hazardous waste routing, noise, waste waster
disposal, exterior colors, and other land use topics. Sustainable forms of generation were given favored
status and easier compliance standards.
The Pleasanton Energy Plan
The Pleasanton Energy Plan is a long-range guiding document. The underpinning of the Pleasanton
Energy Plan is found in seven policy principles. The policy principles provide a guide for the City to
follow when reviewing new projects, developing new ordinances, and when working on action plan
items. The established policy principles are as follows:
• Enhance the general quality of life through energy strategies that will benefit the community
• Promote ecologically friendly propositions that create a healthy environment
• Promote good stewardship through energy conservation and efficiency practices
• Support opportunities for local economic vitality
• Emphasize sustainable/renewable power sources
• Favor locally distributed power opportunities
• Support options that will reduce market volatility, stabilize rates, and increase reliability
Solar Cities Program
The Cities of Livermore and Pleasanton have jointly embarked on a customer assistance program
designed to facilitate the purchase and installation of photovoltaic and other energy efficient
technologies for; residential, commercial and municipal facilities. The overall goal of Solar Cities
Program is; to reach out to the community, make it easier for owner's to make infornled choices about
energy efficient technologies, connect them with qualified installers and reduce installation costs.
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Commercial and Residential Green Building Ordinances
The City of Pleasanton has implemented a process where newly constructed and significantly remodeled
Commercial and Residential buildings must meet a minimum number of points. The point system is
modeled after the USGBC LEEDTM Certification Green Building scorecard and the StopWaste.org
Green Building Guidelines. Green Building Points are gained through the use of sustainable materials
and reducing overall; energy, water and resource consumption. Green Building standards also focus on
improving environmental quality for building occupants. One the intriguing aspects of the Green
Building program is that not only does the program benefit the local facility under construction it also
imposes green or sustainable practice on the material providers far removed and possibly in other
countries.
Additionally, as a policy, all new residential projects are conditioned as part of their design
approval to incorporate "solar ready" measures into the structure construction. The following is
the standazd condition of approval wording:
^ The applicant shall implement the following measures in the design and construction of the approved
residential structure, to provide roof-mounted photo-voltaic systems in the future:
a. Electrical conduit and "pull-strings" shall be installed from the roof/attic areas to the
building's main electrical panel(s).
b. Roof trusses shall be "engineered" to handle an additional load offive-pounds per square
foot beyond that of the load anticipated for roofing.
c. An area shall be provided near the electrical panel for the "inverter" required to convert the
direct current output from the photovoltaic panels to alternating current.
d. A bi-directional electrical meter shall be installed at such time any photo-voltaic panels are
installed.
These measures shall be shown on the building permit plan set submitted to the Planning Director
for review and approval before issuance of the first building permit. The building developer shall
provide the necessary information and the plans delineating how the photovoltaic panels aze applied
on the roof, prior to issuance of a building permit. The roof-mounted photovoltaic systems shall be
physically and visually integrated with the structure's roof materials and design, e.g., surface
mounted, low profile, etc., to the satisfaction of the Planning Director
Draft Energy Element of the General Plan
Following the energy crisis of 2000-2001, the City Council set various energy related priorities, one of
which was to develop an Energy Element for the General Plan. In the aftermath of the energy crisis,
the community was keenly aware that normal business functions and day to day living is dependent on
reliable, sustainable and affordable energy supplies. While there are many programs included in this
Draft Element, most can be assigned to two central themes: support economic stability and improve
environmental quality. These are the desired outcomes from the implementation of the Draft Energy
Element. The City Council will be reviewing and considering the Draft Energy Element of the General
Plan in March 2007, and the General Plan is expected to be adopted at the end of 2007.
5050 Laguna Blvd, Suite 112-324, Elk Grove, CA 95758 / 916-213-5978, 916-684-7046 (fax)
deosol anaol.com (email), CA Lic. #820411
462
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Existing Pleasanton PV Facility
Highest Green Rated Fire Station in the Nation
Pleasanton Fire Station #4 incorporated many state o.f the art green. features and attained the USGBC
LEEDTM Certified "Gold" standard. This was the first municipal building constructed following the
Pleasanton's adoption of a commercial green building ordinance. We set the bar high to lead by
example and shared our experiences with other municipalities, local developers and builders in order to
pass on what we have learned from. our own efforts.
In addition to the energy benefits from its passive solar design, 20% of the energy needs for the building
are met by a 12.8 kW photovoltaic solar power (and vehicle shading) system. The landscape was
designed and constructed to Bay-Friendly Landscape standards with measures including waste
reduction, the use of recycled and other sustainable building landscape construction materials, energy
efficiency, erosion control, reduction of storm water runoff, indoor environmental quality, and water
conservation and pollution reduction. Many of these measures provide on-going operating costs savings
to the City of Pleasanton as well.
Possible Future Pleasanton PV Facilities
• Police Department - 24/7 operation and load, flat roof with parapet likely candidate for loose
attached panels with added insulation value
• Public Library - 7 days a week operation with hours on into the evening. Should consider
covered carport with panels and interactive learning components for kids.
• Aquatic Center -Pumps, filters and heats more than a million gallons of water of for the public
pools and ancillary uses.
~ SchooUCity gym project -The PUSD and City jointly constructed and maintain 3 gymnasium
facilities at various middle school locations. Could be good PR and include an educational
element.
Livermore's Existing PV Installation and Future Options
City Hall
Livermore City Hall was originally constructed with surfaces suitable to receive the installation of a
solar water piping system. Several yeazs ago, the building underwent a complete remodel that included
the installation of a 75kw PV system where the solar water system was to be installed. The system
infrastructure was designed and constructed to eventually expand to 100kw. Future expansion would
include pulling wire and installing the PV panels, however, the inverter is already sized for 100kw.
Other city Facilities
It would be wise to consider all large City buildings to retrofit with PV systems. Some fire houses may
be too small, have mature vegetation, or are otherwise not be suited for PV installation.
5050 Laguna Blvd, Suite 112-324, Elk Grove, CA 95758 / 916-213-5978, 916-684-7046 (fax)
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463
P'roSrarn Thinking about making the move to solar energy?
Start here, with the Solar Cities program.
Novv solar vl7arlts
Solar Cities is a joint project of the cities of Livermore and
why Go Solar' Pleasanton focused on educating consumers with the facts
'
~, '
about residential solar energy. The program features free
:~ educational workshops, web resources, and targeted
~s Solar for You? ~ information to assist homeowners in making decisions about
investing in a photovoltaic solar system.
t~oirtg Solar
The purpose of the workshops is to educate consumers about solar energy
C)isclaier systems, the incentive and rebate programs offered through the California
Solar Initiative Program and federal tax credits, and provide them with an
opportunity to meet professionals working in the industry. Other Solar Cities
resources include website links to a consumer's guide, information about
qualified solar installers, solar calculators, and much more.
The Solar Cities program offers solar installers a streamlined permitting and
development review process in both cities and networking opportunities with
residents interested in exploring photovoltaic systems.
At this time, this program's focus is on residents. If you are a business
seeking information related to solar energy, please visit
http://www.pge.comlmybusiness/energysaving_srebates/solal
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Next workshop
scheduled for
January 2009.
Check back for
location, date and
time.
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Attachment 2
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How Does Solar Energy Work?
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Solar energy joins wind and water as key sources of renewable energy that don't draw
}~q~ Solar Wgrks on the Earth's finite resources and are considered environmentally friendly.
y,
~~, ~aq Solar? How does so-ar energy work? The sun's light rays are harnessed to produce electricity
through a technology called photovoltaics (photo=light; voltaic=electricity). Solar or
~~ saglar Eqr Yqu? photovoltaic cells are made of semiconductor material, and connected together to form
modules and panels. Panels are generally installed on the roof, either fixed or movable, to follow the path
of the sun and take advantage of the maximum sun exposure.
Gging Solar
When sunlight hits the cells, electrons are knocked loose in a movement that produces a current of
Dlsclairner electricity that can be drawn for external use. Because the electricity generated is direct current (DC), it
must be converted to alternating current (AC) in order to be used in the home. This conversion process is
accomplished by an inverter, which is connected to the home and the electric grid of the power provider.
To learn more about solar energy, check out the comprehensive Consumer Guide available through the
U.S. Department of Energy. Just click on www,nrel. ov dots 04osti 35297;~df
PROGRAh9 CITY OF LIVERMORE CITY Of PLEASANTON CONTACT 1JS
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Why Go Solar?
Prorarn
Tapping into solar energy helps to conserve the Earth's fossil-fuel resources.
How Solar Works Photovoltaic systems are also pollution-free and don't generate any waste. Aside from
the environmental perks, this emerging industry is an economic booster resulting in
thousands of new jobs created to manufacture products, install PV systems, and
Why Go Sour? research and develop new technology.
Is Solar For You?
Going Solar Solar energy installations also have direct benefits for the individual consumer who has determined that
their home is positioned to sufficiently capture the sun's rays. This includes evaluating shading effects from
Disclairr~~r trees and nearby structures.
Homeowners must also determine if the existing roofing and roof structure are in the proper condition to
have PV placed on them. A licensed contractor or design professional can assess the condition of your
existing roofing and roof structure. Solar power integrators may or may not provide these services.
The design of a system -from its size to the quality of the components -determines the initial cost and is
a decision the homeowner should make after careful research and deliberation. A well designed and
maintained system is expected to last more than 20 years and the payback to the consumer (in terms of
lower utility bills) starts immediately. In a longer term payback, photovoltaic systems are often an
investment that can increase the value of a home.
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http://www.solarcitiesnow.com/gosolar.asp 10/3/2008
Is Installing a PV System Right for My Home?
Program
Now that you have some basic information on photovoltaic systems, the next crucial
how Solar Larks question is whether installing such a system is beneficial to you. First, consider the
orientation of your roof - is there sufficient roof space that faces the south? Are there
trees or other natural features shading large portions of the roof? Are there other
Wl~y Go Solar? obstacles such as chimneys or adjacent structures that may obscure the sun?
,-
Is Solar I^ar 'Yoaa? A device known as the Solar Pathfinder is available for loan to residents from both cities
through the Pleasanton Public Library. This equipment allows the homeowner to track
Gcaing Solar the amount of sunlight hitting the home's roof and is relatively easy to use. Solar installation companies
can also provide guidance on the suitability of a home for solar panels.
Disclaimer
If your home meets the physical and logistical requirements for PV, you are ready to decide if you should
have it installed in your home. First, however, you should determine what size system and components will
best meet your needs and goals. Use the solar calculator at htt _www.findsolar.com to gauge the size of
the system your home will require. Just click on the Solar Calculator icon on the left of the page.
There are a number of rebates available to the homeowner. Once you select a company to install your PV
system, the installers will assist you in obtaining the rebates. To obtain a more in-depth understanding of
what these rebates are and how they work, click www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/csi/fags.html for State
incentives and http://www.seia.org/csLederal issues/the investment tax credit itc for a comprehensive
document on Federal Tax Incentives.
Pi2ofi,RAM CITY of ~~ve~r~o~~ CITY OF PLE165ANTCIN CONTACT VS
http://www.solarcitiesnow.com/solarforyou.asp 10/3/2008