City of Falls Church

Transcription

1 1 2 3 Meeting Date: January 26, 2015 City of Falls Church Title: (TR15-04) RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR SOLARIZE NOVA, AN INITIATIVE OF THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL COMMISSION AND THE LOCAL ENERGY ALLIANCE PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SOLAR ENERGY Agenda No.: Proposed Motion: MOVE to adopt TR Originating Dept. Head: Wyatt Shields, City Manager FWS Disposition by Council: City Manager: Wyatt Shields FWS for work session City Attorney: Carol McCoskrie CWM CFO: Richard La Condré REQUEST: Council is requested to support, by resolution, the Solarize NoVA and Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) to promote solar energy at its regular meeting of January 26, RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the resolution. BACKGROUND: The Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) is sponsoring a program through its not-for-profit partner, the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) that promotes the installation of energy efficient and renewable technologies. The NVRC and LEAP will be initiating a pilot project in the City of Falls Church entitled Solarize NOVA which will promote home energy efficiency and solar energy. Mr. Tim Stevens, chairman of the City Environmental Services Council, and Council Member Dan Sze are prepared to speak to the purpose of the program and the proposed resolution at Council s Work Session on Tuesday. On January 26, Mr. Stevens will be joined by Bob Lazaro with the NVRC to present the program and ask for the Council s support. The intent of the LEAP program is to reduce the cost and complexity of going solar in northern Virginia. Both residents and businesses can participate. The regional goal is to reach 1,000 roof tops with solar installation, with a particular push this year to

2 (TR15-04) Page 2 of help homeowners and businesses take advantage of tax credits that will sunset in December, LEAP works as program implementer providing: Education and outreach Contractor and customer pre-qualification Energy efficiency consultations Analytics and reporting FISCAL IMPACT: No direct fiscal impact. Staff support will include helping promote the program, and can be met with existing staff resources. TIMING: Immediate. Attachment: Summary of the Solarize NoVA Program (prepared by NVRC and LEAP). (TR15-04) RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR SOLARIZE NOVA, AN INITIATIVE OF THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL COMMISSION AND THE LOCAL ENERGY ALLIANCE PROGRAM TO PROMOTE SOLAR ENERGY WHEREAS, the City of Falls Church has long been a leader in environmental protection; and, WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Falls Church recognizes the impact of energy use and global warming; and, WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Falls Church promotes the use of green building techniques to achieve energy efficiency including site design techniques for passive solar gain; and, WHEREAS, the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) is sponsoring a program through its not-for-profit partner, the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), that promotes the installation of energy efficient and renewable technologies for public benefit; and, WHEREAS, the NVRC and LEAP will be initiating a pilot project in the City of Falls Church entitled Solarize NOVA which will promote home energy efficiency and solar energy; and,

3 (TR15-04) Page 3 of WHEREAS, the Solarize NOVA campaign will utilize local installers and American made photovoltaic solar systems as part of this program; and, WHEREAS, consistent with the City s Comprehensive Plan the City Council of the City of Falls Church expresses its support for the NVRC and LEAP as it begins to implement this program not only in Fall Church, but the Northern Virginia Region; and WHEREAS, the City of Falls Church wishes to commend the NVRC and LEAP as they implement this program and expresses its desire that interested residents and business owners to carefully consider their participation in Solarize NOVA to improve home energy efficiency and make available to residents and business owners the opportunity to purchase solar systems at reduced prices. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Falls Church, Virginia expresses its support for such efforts that assist its homeowners and businesses, and addresses the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Reading: Adoption: (TR15-04)

4 An renewable energy initiative of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission Implemented by the nonprofit Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

5 How much solar in NoVA? 418 Systems 2580 kwh As of 12/2013

6 The Solarize NOVA Program NVRC energy program for its local government members! 1000 NOVA rooftop challenge Multi-year campaign that sunsets with residential tax credit in 12/16 LEAP works as program implementer providing: Education and outreach Contractor and customer pre-qualification Energy efficiency consultations Analytics and reporting

7 What is Solarize NOVA? Grassroots campaign to reduce the cost and complexity of going solar in northern Virginia: both residents and businesses can participate

8 How is it paid for? Self-funding Solarize NOVA is funded through multiple sources: Business sponsorship Contractor referral fees In kind support from muni program partners Grants and donations

9 Why support a Solarize campaign? Keep local dollars in the locality and support local workforce Demonstrate leadership in NOVA to residents and businesses Increase local resiliency People love them!

10 Why sign up for a Solarize program? 1. It s a good deal Vetted contractors Discounted and fixed pricing (RFP procurement, competitively bid) Standardized system / equipment package 2. Energy independence and risk reduction Plus, free energy efficiency evaluations (aka check-ups) and solar site assessments 3. Environmentally responsible Solar is renewable energy resource w/o the negative effects of traditional fuel sources

11 Financing: Solar is affordable today

12 Community models Solarize Charlottesville (Completed)! 1 Campaign 1181 Sign Ups 93 Contracts 511 kw Contract value approximately $1.6 million 500 +/- home energy checkups Solarize NoVA (Completed December 2014)! 365 Sign Ups 11 Contracts 78kW Contract value of $260,000 Several contracts pending 108 home energy checkups to date

13 Solarize Blacksburg (Completed)! 1 Campaign 465 Sign Ups 56 Contracts 310kW! Solarize Richmond (Completed)! 1 Campaign 245 Sign Ups 20 Contracts - 105kW Other Communities