Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the authorization and execution of a non-competitive contract with RENEW Wisconsin, Inc.The contract term is March 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027, and the cost of the contract is $115,000. Funding is available in the Sustainability program (program #10563) in the Mayor's Office 2026 Adopted Capital Budget. No additional appropriation required.
Title
Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into a non-competitive service contract with RENEW Wisconsin, Inc. to Administer MadiSUN Solar Programs for 2026-2027
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Madison has been a Solar America City since 2007, a SolSmart Gold Community since 2016, and is committed to promoting solar technology adoption at the local level; and,
WHEREAS, the City has invested in the MadiSUN programs since 2016 to make it easier and more affordable to install solar energy; and,
WHEREAS, in March of 2017, the Common Council adopted RES-17-00213 which called on the City to establish a goal for City of Madison operations and community to reach a goal of 100% renewable energy and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions; and,
WHEREAS, in March 2019, the Common Council adopted RES-19-00267 which approved the 100% Renewable Madison Report and set the goal of reaching 100% renewable energy and net zero carbon emissions for City operations by 2030 and community-wide by 2050; and,
WHEREAS, in August 2024, the Common Council adopted RES-24-00518, which adopted the Sustainability Plan Update and directed staff to implement the recommendations in the plan; and,
WHEREAS, Goal 8 in the Sustainability Plan is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from private facilities and buildings to achieve the City’s goal of reaching net-zero emissions community-wide by 2050 from a 2018 baseline; and,
WHEREAS, the City has contracted with RENEW Wisconsin to administer MadiSUN since 2016; and,
WHEREAS, since its inception in 2016, MadiSUN has supported the installation of more than 3 MW of solar in Madison; and,
WHEREAS, MadiSUN is composed of the following programs:
1. The Residential Group Buy program helps homeowners come together and go solar at the same time. By purchasing as a group, materials and labor costs are reduced, making the installation more affordable to homeowners. MadiSUN offers homeowners a negotiated price for solar, a vetted solar installer, as well as education, guidance and technical support throughout the process. Initiated in 2016, the program has enabled nearly 300 households to install over 1,500 kilowatts of solar energy, generating over $4.2 million in local clean energy investments.
2. The Backyard Solar Grant provides funds to nonprofit organizations, affordable housing developments, and businesses that serve City of Madison residents to help cover the cost of solar installations. Since the program launch in 2019, grants have been awarded to 19 organizations to install approximately 1,056 kilowatts of solar energy, generating $2.7 million in local clean energy investments; and,
WHEREAS, these programs are administered on an annual basis, and the City wishes to continue the contractual relationship with RENEW to administer these programs for the 2026 and 2027 calendar years; and,
WHEREAS, for 2026, RENEW has proposed a total contract price of $115,000 which includes funding for both programs, as well as grants to purchase and install solar equipment, performing various services to obtain better pricing for program participants, educating and recruiting participants and related administrative services; and,
WHEREAS, under MGO 4.26(4) a contract for purchase of services of more than $75,000 that was not competitively selected must be approved by the Common Council and, for the reasons given in the attached Noncompetitive Selection Form, this contract meets the exception in MGO 4.26(4)(a) 2. & 7. for a particular consultant who has provided services to the City on a similar or continuing project in the recent past. It would be economical to the City on the basis of time and money to retain the same consultant, and the service is available from only one firm; and,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to enter into a non-competitive contract with RENEW Wisconsin, Inc. to provide services for administering the MadiSUN program effective March 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027 in the amount of $115,000 for 2026 and subject to funding being appropriated as needed for 2027.