SR 08-23-2011 3ECity Council Meeting: August 23, 2011
Agenda Item: ~~
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. The
agreement will be for a one year term with an option to renew for two additional years.
The annual cost will not exceed $75,000 for FY 2011-12. The cost for the possible
three-year term is $225,000.
Executive Summary
Solar Santa Monica was established in 2006 to facilitate and accelerate the installation
of solar energy systems in Santa Monica. Since that time the amount of solar
installations in the city has more than quadrupled. EcoMotion was selected to manage
the Solar Santa Monica program initially on September 12, 2006 and has managed the
program since then. EcoMotion was identified through a recent competitive process to
continue to provide project management and implementation services to the Solar
Santa Monica program during FY 11-12 at a cost of $75,000. If the contract is renewed
for two additional years, the total cost will not exceed $225,000.
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Discussion
During 2010, a total of 209 kilowatts (kW) of solar were installed throughout the
community. In addition, SMMUSD signed a power purchase agreement in December,
2010 for 516 kW that will be installed on six Santa Monica elementary schools during
the 2011 summer vacation. The other 2010 participants included over 20 homes and
four commercial buildings. Santa Monica now boasts over 2.5 megawatts (MW) of solar
electric systems installed on over 300 rooftops. These systems generate over
4,000,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) annually or over 2.5 percent of the community's total
annual electricity use.
Previous Council Action
EcoMotion was initially awarded a $532,098 contract for Phase 1 development of the
Community Energy Independence Initiative on September 12, 2006. Subsequent
contracts with EcoMotion for the implementation of Solar Santa Monica were awarded
on January 22, 2008 for $236,050 to extend six months through FY 2007-08; on
September 23, 2008 in the amount of $483,750 for FY 2008-09; on September 8, 2009
in the amount of $250,000 for FY 2009-2010; on Julv 27, 2010 in the amount of
$150,000 for FY 2010-11.
During FY 11-12, Solar Santa Monica would operate on a reduced budget of $75,000
and strategically focus its efforts on the following areas:
• maintain public program awareness with a modified public outreach plan;
• integrate energy efficiency incentives for single family homes provided by Los
Angeles County's Energy Upgrade California program with Solar Santa. Monica;
• continue to focus on commercial and institutional sectors;
• develop new funding mechanisms for solar.
An installation target of 500 kW has been established for FY 2011-12. EcoMotion would
also facilitate and coordinate the City's efforts to establish a Community Solar Fund
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whose goal will be to provide solar financing options to commercial, City facilities,
residential,. affordable housing, and non-property owners. Financing options identified
through this solicitation process will be presented to City Council during 2011. The
contract will include an option to renew for two additional years that the City could
exercise based upon negotiation of a new scope of work.
Contractor/Consultant Selection
On June 16, 2011, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment posted a Request
for Proposals on PlanetBids for program development and implementation services for
Solar Santa Monica. Three proposals were received and reviewed by OSE staff.
EcoMotion, the current program contractor, is recommended based on their experience
developing and implementing solar financing mechanisms for other communities. No
other proposer had sufficient financial expertise in the energy sector.
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Financial Impacts & budget Actions
The contract amount to be awarded to EcoMotion is $75,000 for FY 2011-12. Funds
are available in the adopted FY 2011-13 budget in Account Number 01226.555060.
Budget authority for subsequent years will be requested in each biennial budget cycle
for Council approval
Prepared by: Susan Munves, Energy and Green Building Programs Administrator
Approved:
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Dean Kub
Director, Office of Sustainability and the
Environment
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
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Reference Contract
No. 9449 (CCS)