sr-090809-1cCity Council Meeting: September 8, 2009
Agenda Item: 1 _G
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dean Kubani, Director Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Subject: EcoMotion Agreement for Solar Santa Monica
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that. the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with EcoMotion to provide project
development and implementation services to the Solar Santa Monica program for an
amount not to exceed $250,000.
Executive Summary
Solar Santa Monica was established in 2006 as a demonstration project to fulfill the
City's commitment to the Community Energy Independence Initiative that calls for "net
zero electricity imports" (electricity self-sufficiency) by 2020. On January 22, 2008,
Council approved extending the Solar Santa Monica program through 2010 to facilitate
the installation of energy efficient and solar technologies throughout the community.
EcoMotion was selected through a competitive process to provide project development
and implementation services to the Solar Santa Monica program during FY 09-10.
Funds are available in the Office of Sustainability and the Environment's FY 09-10
budget.
Discussion
In fiscal year 2008-2009, Solar Santa Monica assisted twenty-five (25) residential
participants in adding 112 kW of solar capacity, while commercial establishments added
135 kW despite a significant downturn in the economy. Solar Santa Monica continues
to positively influence the local market for solar, and today solar electric systems in
Santa Monica produce over 1,000 kW (1 Megawatt) of peak-time electric power,
annually offsetting over 1,800,000 kWh and 1.2 million pounds of greenhouse gases.
The map below is taken from the Solar Santa Monica website and shows the
distribution of solar PV systems throughout the City.
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During FY09-10, Solar. Santa Monica has reduced its budget as a result of having
established aself-sustaining awareness level (less expense for outreach), and an
alignment with efforts arising out of proposed policies such as AB811 (solar and
efficiency financing). Stimulus funding has placed the focus back on municipal facilities,
and commercial facilities .are now the market emphasis. Solar Santa Monica will now
strategically focus its efforts on the following areas: energy efficiency, solar electric and
solar thermal systems for multi-family housing including affordable housing, ahd larger
commercial projects which typically require significant technical or financial analysis
assistance prior to making an investment decision. Larger solar projects currently being
facilitated by Solar Santa Monica include Santa Monica College (241 kW), Santa
Monica Place (80 kW), Parking Structures 2 and 6 (TBD), Red Bull (400 kW), 2700
Colorado (150 kW), and SMMUSD (1 MW).
In addition to services facilitating energy efficiency and solar installations, EcoMotion
will provide support on two policy initiatives supported by City Council: 1) legislation or
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regulatory proceedings supporting establishment of a solar feed-in tariff for multi-
family!multi-tenant buildings, and 2) developing an energy efficiency and solar loan
program for property owners based on AB 811.
Contractor/Consultant Selection
On May 14, 2009, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment sent a Request for
Proposals to four companies for program development and implementation services for
Solar Santa Monica. One proposal was received from Ecomotion and staff
recommends accepting the proposal based on Ecomotion's proposed scope of work
and budget, their intimate understanding of the Santa Monica market, their unique
combination of skill sets (marketing, solar expertise, and program and policy
development in a government and utility environment), and their strong local presence.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract amount to be awarded to EcoMotion is $250,000. Funds are available in
Account Number 01226.555060.
Prepared by: Susan Munves, Energy and Green Building Programs Administrator
Director, Office of Sustainability and the
Environment
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Approved: Forwarded to Council:
Reference Contract No.
9107 (CCS).