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Home My WebLink AboutRes 2014-08 - Single-family Affordable ASH Incentive Pgrm CITY OF PALM DESERT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2014 - �_ OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS SUPPORT FOR THE SINGLE-FAMILY AFFORDABLE SOLAR HOMES (SASH} INCENTiVE PROGRAM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA SOLAR INITIATIVE SUBMITTED BY: Jessica Gonzales, Management Analyst - Housing DATE: February 13, 2014 CONTENTS: City Resolution No. 2014 - os Exhibit A — GRID Altemative Presentation Recommendation By Minute Motion that the City Council: 1. Waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 2014 -O8 of the City Councif of the City of Palm Desert declaring its support for the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Incentive Program under the California Solar Initiative and the efforts of GRID Altematives as program manager of the SASH program; and 2. Authorize the City's Director of Economic Development to designate a point of contact or liaison from the City Staff to GRID Alternatives to assist in support of the SASH program activities; and 3. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all documents that may be necessary to support the SASH Program and/or participation. Backs�round GRID Alternatives (GRID) is a non-profit solar company that was contracted as the statewide program manager to implement the Single-Family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) rebate program funded by the California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the Caiifornia Pubiic Utilities Commission for qualified households. The SASH Program is one of the California Solar Initiative's (CSI) low-income incentive solar programs structured to provide low-income families with free or low-cost solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that significantly reduce household energy expenses and allows families to direct those savings toward other basic needs. In addition to being the primary installer and Program manager for SASH, GRID provides education on and access to energy efficiency programs that further reduce a household's energy consumption and expenses. In implementing the SASH Program, GRID Alternatives has established a volunteer-based installation model that provides opportunities for local volunteers to assist with installations, to engage their communities, to participate in G:WOUSING1Pattv LeonUMM�staN reooA�StaH Reoort re Citv Coundl Resolution Su000rt SASH 2-13-14 doc Staff Report Adopt Resolution No. 2o14-ossupporting SASH Program February 13, 2014 Page 2 of 4 CSI programs, and affording low-cost installs that makes solar even more affordable for low- income homeowners. SASH also provides a foundation for promoting and building a sustainable solar industry by incorporating a workforce development and job training component into the program. The SASH Program also promotes partnerships between solar contractors and local workforce development programs by including a job training requirement for all sub=contracted SASH proj�cts. GRID has installed approximately 61 (55 in Desert Rose) solar systems in Palm Desert free of charge to homeowners who qualify. Having 61 solarized homes, it is estimated to save the families approximately $10 million over the lifetime of the systems. GRID is scheduled to install approximately 29 more in Desert Rose beginning April of 2014 as well offer to other qualifying restricted property homeowners in Palm Desert other energy efficient upgrades including solar systems to those don't have one. Staff recommends approval and adoption of the attached resolution declaring the City of Palm Desert's support for the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Incentive Program under the California Solar and the efforts of GRID Alternatives as program manager of the SASH program, authorize the City's Director of Economic Development to designate a point of contact or liaison from the City Staff to GRID Alternatives to assist in support of the SASH program activities, and authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute all documents that may be necessary to support the SASH Program and/or participation. Fiscal Impact There is no fiscal impact to the City in supporting the SASH Program and for the installations made through the Program with the exception of staff time to review each request and the overall reduction in kilowatts used within the City. Submitted by: Department Head: � � ��' '_ �..__._.. _ _ Jes ic Gonzales, an gement Analyst - Housing J ne . Moore, Director of Housing Reviewed� CITY COUNCILA�iTION ' APPROVED � DF.NiED artin Alvarez REC�IVED OTHER �' Director of Economic Development M�ET G DATE �� A.YES: �!7/� � ' vC i� Ccyf7f �/ Approval: NOES: �' ABSENT: � ABSTAIN: �� V�RIFIED BY � � � � Jo M. WohlmUth, City Manager Original on File with Cit lerk's Office � G:\HOUSING\Pattv LeonUMM�staff reoort\Staff Reoort re Citv Council Resolution Su000rt SASH 2-I3-14.doc RESOLUTION NO. 2oi4-os A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING ITS SUPPORT FOR THE SINGLE-FAMILY AFFORDABLE SOLAR HOMES (SASH) INCENTIVE PROGRAM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA SOLAR INITIATIVE RECITALS: WHEREAS, GRID Alternatives ("GRID Alternatives") is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training, and GRiD Alternatives works collaboratively with communities and local organizations to identify specific needs and to develop renewable energy solutions that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable; and WHEREAS, GRID Altematives currently serves as program manager to the California Public Utilities Commission and Southern California Edison for the Single- family Affordable Solar Homes ("SASH") incentive program under the California Solar Initiative ("CSI"); and WHEREAS, acting as program manager for the SASH program, GRID Altematives brings the benefits of solar technology to low income homeowners through volunteer and job trainee installations of solar electric systems; and WHEREAS, since 2004, GRID Altematives has installed through the SASH Program more than 8.5 MW of clean, renewable power for over 3,000 families, preventing the release of 250,000 tons of greenhouse gases over the systems' lifetimes and providing more than $80 million in energy cost savings; and WHEREAS, through GRID Altematives' program management of the SASH Program, more than 11,000 volunteers and job trainees have also �eceived hands-on solar installation experience to date; and WHEREAS, the City of Palm Desert (the "City") is served by the Southern California Edison utility company for electricity, thereby making the SASH Program available to families residing in the City who also meet the income and other requirements of the SASH Program; and WHEREAS, GRID Alternatives has, prior to the date hereof, completed solar installations through the SASH program on approximately 61 single-family homes within the City; and WHEREAS, the City is committed to making its community a greener and more affordable place to live by supporting renewable energy, energy and water P6401-000 l\I678557v l.doc -1- G:�HUI;SIVG'Pazty L.eon•JMSf�statTrepon�.Rf;SO1.UT10VS•�Rsolution in Support of SASII Progrmn(Palm D�sat).doc RESOLUTION NO. 20i4-Og conservation, responsible purchasing and design, sustainable living practices, and green job opportunities. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California (the "City Council"), does hereby formally support the SASH program and the efforts of GRID Alternatives as program manager of the SASH program. Section 2. That the City Council hereby authorizes the City's Director of Economic Development (the "Director of Economic Development") to designate a point of contact or a liaison from City staff to GRID Alternatives to assist in the following activities in support of the SASH program: (a) assisting GRID Altematives in identifying existing publicly available resources for community volunteers and job training organizations; (b) making available to GRID Alternatives a platForm for GRID Alternatives' dissemination of SASH program information, such as space in a brochure stand in the City Hall lobby; (c) when feasible, expediting permitting reviews and approvals and inspections for solar electric projects that are a part of the SASH program, including but not limited to the final building inspection for an installation; (d) making reasonable effort to support outside funding requests as funding opportunities become available from other sources for activities under the SASH program; and (e) collaborating on media events and public relations initiatives undertaken by GRID Alternatives about the SASH program, with every effort to be made to mutually acknowledge the role each of GRID Alternatives and the City played in the success of the SASH program; provided, given the City's position and good name within the community, the City Council will require, and hereby delegates to the Director of Economic Development the authority and discretion for providing, City approval (prior to distribution or use) of (i) the use of the City's logo in connection with the SASH program or otherwise by GRID Altematives, and (ii) all marketing materials which reference the City and are proposed to be used in connection with the SASH program. Section 3. That the Director of Economic Development is hereby directed to transmit, or cause to be transmitted, a copy of this resolution to GRID Alternatives and Southern California Edison. Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. P6401-0(?01\I 678557v 1.doc -2' RESOLUTION NO. 2014-08 PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting held on the 13th day of February, 2014, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: VAN G. TANNER, MAYOR ATTEST: RACHELLE D. KLASSEN, CITY CLERK P6401-0001\1678557v Ldoc -3- Exhibit A - GRID Alternatives Presenation Our Partnership GRID ALTERNATIVES Inland Empire Bambi Tran — Regional Director Stuart Haniff— Development Manager Lisa Castilone — Outreach Coordinator www.dridalternatives.orq The GRID Model People Planet Exclusively serving low-income homeowners Offsetting carbon emissions, increasing energy efficiency through education, and utilizing a renewable energy source Training volunteers in solar installation Employment to expand "green collar" workforce (01.116E of rhr I)I SEK 1 Exhibit A - GRID Alternatives Presenation Employment ▪ 60 paid training opportunities for solar job trainees have occurred in Palm Desert through GRID Alternatives' Subcontractor Partnership Program since 2010. • The average installation time for these projects is 2 days, so —120 paid workdays have been created through this program in Palm Desert. • 6 individual job trainees from 5 different community job training programs have participated in these installations alongside experienced installation companies (majority of with Real Goods Solar). • In 2013 - 2014, GRID expects to install another —50 -100 projects in Palm Desert utilizing its subcontractor model, and requiring a paid position for a job trainee on each installation. Growing Impact As of August, 2013, GRID Alternatives, statewide, has: Solarized more than 3,621 homes saving families more than $99.5 million in energy costs In the City of Palm Desert: • Solarized 61 homes (185.6 kW) • Solarized 56 homes in Desert Rose Development • Saving the families $10,408,773 over the lifetime of the system • Offsetting 5,850 tons of GHGs (equivalent to taking 1,036 cars off the road for 1 year or planting 137,533 trees) Success Story: Desert Rose 2 Exhibit A - GRID Alternatives Presenation • Community Engagement and Education (Sweat equity, community building, long-term advocacy) Workforce Development (Classroom on the roof) Long-term community presence (integration with other community based programs, continued investment in this market segment) Upcoming efforts with the City of Palm Desert [e] enphase ENER GY SUNPOWER SOLECTR1A Walmart R E N E W A B L E S Save money. U.e batter. Comprehensive Partnershinc jam. �•�. Habftat h, Bmadtr 3