Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-15-K22 Solarize Waukee Program SupportAGENDA ITEM: K22 CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION MEETING DATE: October 15, 2018 AGENDA ITEM:Consideration of approval of a resolution in support of Solarize Waukee Program FORMAT:Resolution SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association are organizing a Solar Group Buy to be called Solarize Waukee between December 2018 and June 2019. They have requested the support of the Waukee City Council for this program and asked that a City representative be appointed to the Solarize Waukee Advisory Committee. FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS: COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT: STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT: RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution. ATTACHMENTS: I. Proposed Resolution II. Solarize Waukee presentation (presented to Waukee City Council at the 10/08/2018 special meeting) PREPARED BY:Becky Schuett REVIEWED BY: PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION – NAME OF PUBLICATION: DATE OF PUBLICATION: THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA RESOLUTION 18- IN SUPPORT OF A SOLARIZE WAUKEE PROGRAM WHEREAS, the City of Waukee, Dallas County, State of Iowa, is a duly organized Municipal Organization; AND, WHEREAS, the Nature Conservancy of Iowa in partnership with the City of Waukee and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association are organizing a Solar Group Buy called Solarize Waukee between December 2018 and June 2019; AND, WHEREAS, a Solarize Waukee program is a highly organized and promoted community effort that enables interested residential and commercial consumers to access volume discounts through choosing to purchase solar electric systems during a designated period of time; AND, WHEREAS, the discount is generated through a competitive selection of a solar installer, a process overseen by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. The greater the number of property owners who choose to install solar electric systems, the lower the price of all solar electric systems through the program. The purpose of a the Solarize Waukee program is to increase education of local residents about solar photovoltaics (PV), increase market penetration of residential and small commercial solar PV through a group purchasing program, and highlight Waukee’s leadership as an innovative and sustainable community; AND, WHEREAS, the voluntary use of solar electricity by private citizens diversifies the electric supply for our City; AND, WHEREAS, over time the use of solar electricity saves participating residents money on their electric bills, retaining that money within the City for further circulation; AND, WHEREAS, solar electricity generation requires no fossil fuels, and reduces pollutants; AND, WHEREAS, the City recognizes the promotional benefits of being an innovative and sustainable community; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Waukee, Iowa on this 15th day of October, 2018, will support and endorse the Solarize Waukee program organized by The Nature Conservancy of Iowa and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, all 501(c)3 nonprofit, grassroots organizations, that will take place between December 2018 and June 2019 in the following ways: 1.Assigning Building Official Keith Rash as City of Waukee representative to the Solarize Waukee Advisory Committee. 2.Allowing the use of City of Waukee logo on promotional materials. 3.Promoting the project details through email, website, flyers, social media, public access TV and other means as able and appropriate. 4.Streamlining the solar installation permitting process for Group Buy participants. 5.Use of City facilities to host community outreach meetings. ____________________________ William F. Peard, Mayor Attest: ___________________________________ Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk RESULTS OF VOTE: AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN Anna Bergman R. Charles Bottenberg Courtney Clarke Shelly Hughes Larry R. Lyon Matt Strawn President, The Strawn Company Patrick Snell External Affairs Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy October 2018 A program where homeowners & businesses come together as a community to purchase and install solar at reduced prices. Solar group buys help individuals overcome the financial and logistical barriers of installing solar by: 1. Providing an educational venue to inform individuals about solar energy and what to consider when making an investment in the technology 2. Creating an opportunity for those interested in solar to participate in a volume discount through a group purchasing program What is a Solarize Program? THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 2 Photo Description Event photos and solar installation from Solarize Cedar Rapids and Linn County Cedar Rapids and Linn County celebrated the completion of Iowa’s first Solar Group Buy program in the fall of 2017. • 514 people attending 23 events • 607kWs installed on 104 homes • $1.5 million dollars in local investments Solarize Success Stories THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 3 Solarize Success Stories “The interest was there, and we just provided a venue for it. Once again, we blew past our expectations, so we were excited to see that many people interested in solar - that many people decide it was a good decision for their family, for their home.” - Eric Holthaus, Cedar Rapids Sustainability Coordinator “I am thrilled we are working with residents, businesses, farms, and other organizations throughout Linn County in order to save them money on solar installations, while also helping the environment in the process.” -James Hodina, Environmental Public Health Manager, Linn County, IA Public Health Solarize Johnson County Completed in September of 2018, the program ended with an astounding 1.15 megawatts and 180 households participating in the program. The Program was organized by Johnson County and six host municipalities: Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Shueyville, Solon and West Branch THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 5 Solarize Success Stories An innovative way for Waukee to meet sustainability goals A no-cost program for your community Empower your homeowners and businesses to make their own energy decisions (and at a lower cost) Another tool in the economic toolbox to attract business by demonstrating commitment and access to renewable energy Innovative Leadership Economic Development Generate local enthusiasm through heavily promoted solar Power Hours Local Enthusiasm THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 6 Why Waukee? Mar 2019Feb 2019Jan 2019Dec 2018Nov 2018Oct 2018 Sept 2018 April 2019 May 2019 Installations Advisory Team Created Outreach and Education Program Set Up Installations Homeowner Site Assessments Issue Request for Proposal 15 -20 Outreach Sessions Schedule Outreach Sessions Community Outreach Select Contractor(s) Homeowner contracts with installer Highlight installations & Celebrate Successes! Solarize Waukee: How Would it Work? City Role in Solarize Waukee: 1.City Council Resolution of Support 2.Use of City communication vehicles to market the program 3.Participant(s) on the Advisory Team 4.Use of City facilities to host community outreach meetings 5.Sharing of success of Solarize Waukee with others THE NATURE CONSERVANCY 8 Solarize Waukee: A Partnership with the City Contact: Patrick Snell | email: patrick.snell@tnc.org Thank you