Fiscal Note
Funding for this project is included in the 2016 Capital Budget under the Sustainability Improvements capital project. Although a contract may be executed in 2015, no costs for this program are expected to be incurred until 2016. The account for this program is 11284-401-200.
Title
Funding a Solar Group Buying Program in 2015-16.
Body
Whereas, the City of Madison has, since 2007, been a Solar America City and is committed to promoting solar technology adoption at the local level,
Whereas, the City of Madison has been an active participant in the Grow Solar Wisconsin coalition,
Whereas, Grow Solar Wisconsin's mission is to make solar cost-competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade,
Whereas, a favorable combination of Focus on Energy renewable energy incentives, a 30% federal investment tax credit, declining system installation costs, and rising customer demand will ensure a strong market for distributed solar generation through 2016,
Whereas, the City of Madison's Sustainability Plan contains a goal to achieve a 80% carbon emissions reduction by 2050,
Whereas, the continued expansion of solar generation will enable the City of Madison to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions,
Whereas, the City of Madison's solar program, MadiSUN, has helped hundreds of businesses and thousands of residents learn more about solar energy,
Whereas, hundreds of residents and business have received free solar site assessments from MadiSUN to determine the potential and estimated cost of on-site solar energy,
Whereas, MadiSUN has organized and offered residential solar group buying programs to spur on-site solar use across city neighborhoods well as drive down installation costs,
Whereas, 35 homeowners have participated in prior MadiSUN's solar group buying programs, collectively installing more than 127 kilowatts of solar photovoltaic capacity on their residences,
Whereas, the offer of additional residential solar group buying programs would further drive down installation costs in Madison,
Whereas, the Sustainable Madison Committee has recommended the continuation of group buying programs in Madison,
Whereas, the Common Council has already passed a resolution (Legistar #38878) to implement the $80,000 as a loan loss reserve for the purpose of leveraging $1,600,000 in private sector loans for solar installations, and $22,000 to hire an administrator to enact the solar loan program,
Whereas, the solar loan product available to residents of Madison through a private-sector financial institution, along with the creation of a loan loss reserve fund, will further reduce financial barriers to solar installations and increase participation in future group buying programs,
Whereas, the City of Milwaukee, another active participant in Grow Solar Wisconsin, has effectively delivered four group buy offerings in Milwaukee, averaging approximately 20 installations and 68 kilowatts of solar installed,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Facilities and Sustainability Manager is authorized to negotiate a Contract for Purchase of Services with RENEW Wisconsin, Inc., or member(s) thereof, to assist with the planning, design and implementation of MadiSUN Solar Group Purchasing program for an amount not to exceed $22,000.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to execute, deliver, accept and record any and all documents and take such other actions as shall be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purpose of this resolution in a form approved by the City Attorney.