sr-072710-1gCity Council Meeting: July 27, 2010
Agenda Item: 1G
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Dean Kubani, Director Office of Sustainability and the Environment
Subject: Agreement with EcoMotion for Solar Santa Monica Program
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with EcoMotion, an Irvine-based company,
to provide project development and implementation services to the Solar Santa Monica
program. The agreement will be for a one year term, with an option to renew for two
additional years. The annual cost will not exceed $150,000 for FY 2010-11.
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. EcoMotion is
recommended to provide project development and implementation services to the Solar
Santa Monica program during FY 10-11 at a cost of $150;000.
Background
The City launched Solar Santa Monica in 2006 to help fulfill the City's commitment to its
net zero electricity goal. Solar Santa Monica has focused on increasing energy
efficiency in existing homes and businesses, and facilitating renewable energy
installations on both existing and new buildings. When the program began,
approximately 300 kW of renewable capacity had been installed in Santa Monica during
the previously years. In its first year, Solar Santa Monica doubled solar capacity in the
City. Even with less activity in 2008, the City's renewable. energy growth dwarfed the
years prior to 2006. During FY 2009-10, 552 kilowatts (kW) of solar were installed
throughout the community. Forty seven homes participated in the program comprising
178 kW of the total. The Big Blue Bus maintenance facility (80 kW) and Santa Monica
College (290 kW) comprise the balance. As of March, 2010, over 1.4 megawatts (MW)
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of solar has been installed in Santa Monica at over 260 sites.
Discussion
In FY 10-11, Solar Santa Monica will focus on integrating residential and commercial
energy efficiency programs with solar photovoltaic and solar thermal installations. The
City's anticipated participation in Los Angeles County's Energy Program (LACEP) will
provide Santa Monica residential property owners with greater access to utility
incentives for energy efficiency measures and County Property Assessed Clean Energy
(PACE) loans for energy efficiency and solar systems. EcoMotion will provide technical
assistance to residential property owners to ensure that investments in energy efficiency
and solar result in long term cost and energy savings.
Solar Santa Monica will continue to focus on commercial and institutional solar
installations in FY 10-11. Pending solar projects include:
• Santa Monica College
• Santa Monica Place
• City Parking retrofits
• Lantana Properties
• Red Bull
• 2700 Colorado
• SMMUSD
Total
200 kW
80 kW
1,400 kW
500 kW
400 kW
150 kW
800 kW
3,530 kW (3.5 MW)
The State recently approved a new rebate. program that will subsidize the purchase of
solar thermal systems (hot water) for both residential and commercial sites. Solar
Santa Monica will introduce this program with its preferred solar thermal contractors.
One major commitment that began in 2009 and was completed in early 2010 was to
install solar thermal on seven properties belonging to Community Corp of Santa Monica.
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Contractor/Consultant Selection
On June 10, 2010, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment posted a Request
for Proposals on PlanetBids for program development and implementation services for
Solar Santa Monica. Two proposals were received and reviewed by a panel of staff
from the Office of Sustainability and the Environment. EcoMotion, the current program
contractor, is recommended based on their proposed scope of work, previous
experience, and proposed budget. The other proposer's budget was substantially
higher and not sufficiently responsive to the solicitation. EcoMotion's proposed scope of
work provides policy development assistance, unbiased solar expertise to homeowners
and businesses, and continued focus on the commercial and institutional building
sectors.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract amount to be awarded to EcoMotion is $150,000 for FY 2010-11. Funds
are available for FY 10-11 in Account Number 01226.555060. Full funding is not
included in the FY 11-12 budget plan and the contract will not be renewed without
additional funding. Budget authority for two additional years will be requested in each
annual budget cycle for Council approval.
Prepared by: Susan Munves, Energy and Green Building Programs Administrator
Approved:
~~T'~'
Dean Kubani
Director, Office of Sustainability and the
Environment
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
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Reference Contract No.
9245 (CCS).