DATE: May 9, 2016
TO: Council Sustainability Committee
FROM: Director of Utilities and Environmental Services
SUBJECT
Title
East Bay SunShares
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Committee reviews and comments on this report and directs staff to participate in the East Bay SunShares program.
Body
BACKGROUND
In 2015, the cities of Walnut Creek, Fremont, Piedmont, and Lafayette participated in a program called East Bay SunShares - a group purchase program for solar photovoltaic systems. The three-month campaign resulted in more than 600 residents signing up to learn more about residential solar; and contracts providing over 850 kW of new residential solar power were signed.
DISCUSSION
For 2016, East Bay SunShares will be expanded to include electric vehicles (EVs) in addition to solar photovoltaic systems. Staff is considering participating in this regional program as it would help Hayward residents investigate and purchase EVs and solar systems, to offset grid energy use and to reduce vehicle emissions. The City would partner with multiple East Bay entities to create a larger market for bulk purchasing. All of these entities will market the program to their constituents and employees. A joint Request for Proposals will be issued, and a contractor will be selected from the bids that meet the requirements of the RFP. The goal is to spur lower pricing through bulk purchasing. The more participants who sign up, the lower the pricing will be. Currently, the cities of Fremont, Berkeley, and Oakland have expressed interest.
The 2016 East Bay SunShares program will be administered by the Business Council on Climate Change (BC3). As noted in Attachment I, staff’s role would be to assist BC3 with coordinating public workshops and contacting potential participants via email, newsletters, intranet sites, and posters. In early June, after the participating cities are confirmed, BC3 will issue a request for proposals to find interested solar companies and EV dealers.
The following General Plan policies related to solar and EVs support Hayward’s participation in East Bay SunShares.
Policy NR-4.6 Renewable Energy - The City shall encourage and support the generation, transmission, use, and storage of locally-distributed renewable energy in order to promote energy independence, efficiency, and sustainability. The City shall consider various incentives to encourage the installation of renewable energy projects (i.e. reduced permit fees and permit streamlining).
Policy NR-2.10 Zero-Emission and Low-Emission Vehicle Use - The City shall encourage the use of zero-emission vehicles, low-emission vehicles, bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles, and car-sharing programs by requiring sufficient and convenient infrastructure and parking facilities throughout the City.
Policy NR-2.11 Zero-Emission and Low-Emission Vehicle Advocacy - The City shall collaborate with regional, State, and Federal entities to promote the use of alternative fuels and increased vehicle fuel efficiency standards, and to advocate for higher fuel-economy standards, or contribute to regional and state marketing and outreach efforts.
Policy NR-2.4 Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction - The City shall work with the community to reduce community-based GHG emissions by 20 percent below 2005 baseline levels by 2020, and strive to reduce community emissions by 61.7 percent and 82.5 percent by 2040 and 2050, respectively. [Source: New Policy, City staff] (RDR)
FISCAL IMPACT
Participation in East Bay SunShares would result in minimal financial impacts to the City. Some staff time will be needed for outreach and advertising; however, the costs of solar or EVs will be borne by program participants.
SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
Energy: Electricity/natural gas/other fossil fuels.
East Bay SunShares will facilitate solar photovoltaic installations and the purchase of electric vehicles - both of which reduce the community’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Air: Air emissions of pollutants.
East Bay SunShares will promote the purchase of electric vehicles, which will reduce transportation-related emissions, including greenhouse gas emissions.
NEXT STEPS
Upon direction from the Committee, staff will send a letter (see Attachment II) to the Business Council on Climate Change (BC3) expressing Hayward’s interest in participating in the program. Staff would then participate in collaborative efforts to market the program.
Prepared by: Erik Pearson, Environmental Services Manager
Staff contact
Recommended by: Alex Ameri, Director of Utilities and Environmental Services
end
Approved by:
Fran David, City Manager
Attachments:
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Attachment I |
East Bay SunShares Overview |
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Attachment II |
Participation Letter Template |