HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 5E 06/21/2010DATE: June 21, 2010
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
Vincent Marengo,,Director of Public Works
Resolution Approving Solar Sonoma County'-s Solar Implementation Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving Solar Sonoma
County's Solar Implementation Plan
BACKGROUND:
In 2008, the City of Santa Rosa applied for and was awarded one of twenty-five Department of
Energy Solar America Cities grants. The intent of the grant -:is to identify and implement
initiatives for solar power and energy efficiency throughout- Sonoma County. The main
deliverable of the grant is documentation of Sonoma County'"s Solar Implementation Plan (SIP)
and its acceptance by the cities participating in its development. The plan recommendations are
presented such that a city can implement a program, or ideally, work in collaboration with other
cities to establish programs, which will continue to support the countywide installation of solar
energy and energy efficiency projects: The Solar Implementation Plan can also provide a
framework for additional grant applications.
DISCUSSION:
Solutions for barriers to widespread and rapid implementation of solar energy and efficiency
projects were identified through a stakeholder process that included input from the Solar` Sonoma
County (SSC) Working Group (a 52-member taskforce made up of stakeholders from
government, industry, business, and the community), the SSC Board of Directors and Advisory
Board, members of SSC- 'Solar Vendor, Energy Efficiency Vendor, and Policy/Finance/Incentives
committees. The result is the Sonoma County Solar Implementation Plan (SIP), which provides
regional strategies to reduce market barriers to the installation of solar energy systems and
energy efficiency measures, through advances in policy, financing, education, and market
transformation. The SIP is a key tool to support the SSC goal to increase the amount of solar
power produced in the County by an additional25 megawatts by 2011.
Agenda Revie
Dept. Director _ City Attorney . Finance Director
t .40 City Manager�_`,
w
Approving Solar Sonoma County's Solar Implementation Plan will allow the City of Petaluma to
efficiently coordinate with stakeholders; collaborate on the best practices for the use of regional
resources; and avoid duplicate or competing efforts.. The City of Petaluma's participation will
facilitatecompletion of the U-.S. Department of Energy grant deliverables by Solar Sonoma
County and allow its participation in future grant applications or awards.
Summary of Solar Implementation Plan:
The SIP includes six recommendations selected from over 50 project ideas generated by this
stakeholder process. Each recommendation is presented in the report with its associated market
barrier, benefits,. resources, case studies, constraints, and tasks:.
I — Regional Standards: Create regional standards that simplify the regulatory process for
solar generation and energy efficiency projects, including permitting, code compliance,
municipal building code scope/content, zoning ordinances, and general plan elements/language.
2 — Redevelopment/Community Development/Enterprise Fund Programs/Energy Service
Company Option: Use opportunities within existing dedicated public funding programs (e.g.,
redevelopment, community development, and enterprise funds) to focus on solar generation and
energy efficiency projects withinthe, scope of the funding program and identify opportunities to
use the Energy Service Company (ESCo) model for cash neutral project implementation.
3 — Training for Government,Staff/Officials and Solar/Efficiency Vendors: Provide
government staff and elected officials with training and education on solar energy and energy
efficiency to help support policy decisions and permitting/code. compliance decisions, and seek
opportunities to encourage and support training and certification for solar and efficiency vendors
in industry protocols, local codes and standards, and State building codes.
4 — Education for Community: Seek opportunities to connect citizens with solar electric, solar
hot water, and energy efficiency information and services through existing government channels;
seek new opportunities for government to educate the community on solar power and energy
efficiency and leverage non -governmental educational opportunities, increasing public
awareness and making them more available to the community.
5 — Clean Energy Advocate Program: Support and promote the new countywide Clean .
Energy Advocate program, which provides independent, non-commercial advocates to help grow
public awareness of the program, educate property owners about project planning, financing and
implementation of energy retrofit projects, and assists in identification of homes that would be
good candidates for solar and efficiency measures.
6 — Request-for-Proposal/Bid Clearinghouse: Promote creation of a countywide Webportal
for, solar and efficiency government requests -for -bids to assist local vendors in identifying
business opportunities to provide competitive bids and encourage government members of 'Solar
Sonoma County to participate.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
There are no direct costs associated with approval of the attached resolution, which provides for
continued collaboration with other local agencies in the County., No funds are currently
budgeted or available for any significant level of effort or involvement.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
2
The item listed below is large in Volume and is not attached to this -report, but may be viewed in the City
Clerk's office:
Exhibit A to Resolution: Sonoma County Solar Implementation Plan
I
3
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION
APPROVING SOLAR SONOMA COUNTY'S'SOLAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma joined Solar Sonoma County in 2008, to support
initiatives for more solar power- and energy efficiency throughout Sonoma County; and
WHEREAS, being a member of Solar Sonoma County provides the City of Petaluma
the benefits of Solar Sonoma County's support through technical advice and assistance regarding
solar installations and energy efficiency; and
WHEREAS, the Sonoma County Solar Implementation Plan was prepared by Solar
Sonoma County -under a U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Cities grant administered by
the City of Santa Rosa; and
WHEREAS, the Solar Implementation Plan is a key tool for Solar Sonoma County's
goal to increase the amount of solar power produced in the County, by an additional 25
megawatts by 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Solar Implementation Plan provides regional strategies to reduce
market barriers to the installation of solar energy systems and energy efficiency measures,
through advances in policy, financing,. education, and market transformation; and
WHEREAS, the Solar. Implementation Plan is a valuable resource that can help
achieve - the greenhouse gas reduction goals of the City of Petaluma; and
WHEREAS, the Solar.Implementation Plan enables't_he City of Petaluma to
efficiently coordinate with stakeholders, collaborate on the best practices for the use of regional
resources, and avoid duplicate or competing efforts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the, City Council of the City of
Petaluma accepts the Solar Implementation.Plan, attached as Exhibit A to -Resolution and
incorporated herein by reference, prepared by Solar Sonoma County, .and will continue to
collaborate with other cities and the County:in the Solar Sonoma County effort to` implement and
become a leader in solar power installation and energy efficiency across Sonoma County the
nation.
L'1
EXHIPIT A TO RESOLUTION
County Solar Imp'le.,-m-'entation Plan
So h �.n-a
Solar Sonoma County
Marc h.2010,
-.ali'forrva
S S
�900 College Avenue, 2nd Floor
Santa.Rosa, California 95404
(707) 284-9799
www.solarsonomacountV.org
This report was funded by;a Solar America Cities program -grant
through-Solar,Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, California.'
Contributors'and reviewerOrftlude:
Solar Sonoma County
Board of Directors
Craig Carlock John LIP'Yd, Barry Cogbill Ken Norton
Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer
Solar Craft International Brotherhood' Solar Consultant FinanciallCmnsultant
of Electrical Workers —
Local 551
Dave'.Brennan John Haig ;Martha Baeli
Sonoma.County County of Sonoma Pacific Gas & Electric
Regional Climate
Protection. Authority
Solar: Sonoma Co'unty
AdVisory Board
Michael Kyes Alan Strachan Tasha Wright Dell Tredinnick
Sebastopol Heat and Cool Green Energy Loan City of Santa Rosa City of Santa Rosa
Deb Fudge Steve Pantazes Jay Jackson Raym.p-ric.1341ta.r.
Town of Windsor Town of Windsor GeeenVolt Inc. Moon,Valley
Valley Studio
Councilmember Building Official
Solar Sonoma County
Cifficers/Staft
Alison Healy Lori Houston Marty Roberts
Executive Director Co-F6under Co -Founder
Associate Director Former C6-Director
Ken Wells Chrisi(one Tim Bacon
Technical Advisor Researcher/Writer SSC Office Coordinator
Solor'Implementotion'Plan
Coordinator
'� htt PINtWw. so I a ram e ri ca citi e s.e ne rgv. Rov/
Alex Hinds, Sonoma -State Unidersity
AnmHancock, Climate Protection
Campaign; Executive Director
Briana Herpst; City of Cloverdale,
Administrative Specialist
CaroLRussell, City of Cloverdale
Councilmember
Damien Obid, City of Cotati, Public
Works Department
Dave Shufro, Agilent Technologies
Deb Fudge, Town of Windsor,
Councilmember
Denise Soza, International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Diane Ramirez, City of Petaluma, Public
Works Department
Evelina Molina, North Bay Institute for
Green Technology, Executive
Director
Fred Conklin, Stonefield_Homeowners
Association
Solar Sonoma County Working Group
Gene Quisisem, Green.Ray
Technologies
Glenn Schainblatt, City of. Sebastopol,,
Building Department.
Grant Davis, Sonoma County Water
Agency, Assistant General .
Manager
Jane Elias, Cityof Cloverdale
.JerryGuffey, MissionCapital
Jerry Schafer, Affinity Solar
Jessica Diaz, Sonoma County
Supervisor rShirlee Zane
representative
Kevin .Gilleran,.Gilleran Energy
Management
Laurie Gallian, City of Sonoma,
Councilmember
Len Greenwood, Montgomery High
School Green Academy
Linda Kelly, City of Sonoma, City
Manager
Maddy Hirshfield, Assemblyman
Wes Chesbro representative
Marilyn Standley,, City of Sebastopol,
Planning Commission
Michael Allen, State Senator
Pat Wiggins representative
Mike'McGuire, City of Healdsburg,
_Councilmember
Robert Coleman-Senghor,
City of Cotati, Mayor
Ron Knox, Knox HVAC
Ryan Sakata, Sonoma; Mountain Village
Sharon Ledbetter; Eco-Green Real
Estate Agent Training
Steve.Pantazes, Town of Windsor,
Building Department
Tiffany Renee, City of Petaluma,
Councilmember
Tom Luhmann, City of Rohnert Park,
Building Department
Veronica Jacobi, City of Santa Rosa,
Councilmember
ContentsExecutive
3umomery................................................ —_,—'_---------------'�----'--.i
GDab. .. ...............................................................
---------------'�--�----------
i
� Market Barriers ..--------'------=----------------- —'---------
�
ii
Recommendations -------'---------'�`---'------_--;—`--,---.ii
� �
|htrVduchbn==.�—'`-------'. ........... ..... ...r—=---------......... .........................
l �
Backgrnund--------------'.'----------_--------------�------'l
�
�
Economic Recession . --------'-------'�—`--------'--'—_--,`^'---�
^
I
Climate[han0e.:.......... '................ ................ ....... ...................................................... —............. .................
�
2
Collaboration... .................................................................... ...................................................................
'4'
Goalsand biectives............................................................... ............................ ....... —".�...................
4
New Solar Capacity ............................ :-------.—,`^----------------------�S
'
MaYketTransformation ................... --�,,_—_—__--'---_--,,_---,,—'..............
� '
�Project List ................................ —..................................................................... .^='=—,`''—.,��^'S
�
� Resou'rcesand Market Boniem—........... ...................................................................................................
�
6
Res0ur�es....... .................... ......................... .'_—�—'�--------.--------=-----6
MarketBarriers .....................................................................................................................................
Strategies and ' Actions ................................... ....................... .—_---------_--..'-_-_—_--8
Policies/Regulations .----------,-----'^ --I-------.-----..--..—.--.—.,8
�
�
1-- Regional Standards .......................................................... .......................................... --'_--'J}
Finandng/»t�nt�e�—.--------_---'.—��_'^—_------__',.--��_—'_'_—'_l8
'
�
�-` R. Cornmui6ity - DeuelopmentvandEnterprise Funds; ............................... ...........
18
Education —.------------.--'—.—.—'--_=—',------------',---..2O
�
] - -Tr inin8forGovennment,Staff/E|ected',Officia|sandSofa r/EfficiencyVendors ..........................
2O
4-- Education for Community ... ..................................................................................... ...................
J!
marketTransformation; ............. ....................................... ..................................................................... ........
3l �
� S--[�anEnergy m..................................................................................................
31 �
6--Clearinghouse for Ke'(fuest4upBids.......... ................................... ....................................
33
Appendices ---------------'------�---------'_`--.�.'—''--_+--.3S
� � ` '
^
Appendix 1:Solar Implementation. Plan History .................................. ...................................................
37
Appendix 2:Additiona|SIP Recommchdatk�ns .......... ......... ................ .................................. .............
3D
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Executive'.Summary
Solar power and energy efficiency constitute a win -win formula to jump start the local economy and
effectively respond to the climate change crisis. To address these important opportunities, this Sonoma
County Solar Implementation Plan was prepared by Solar Sonoma County, a nonprofit public/private
consortium of local governments, businesses; other entities and individuals working collaboratively to
identify and implement initiatives to promote, expand, and accelerate solar power and energy efficiency
throughout Sonoma County, under a U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Citiesgrant administered
by the City of Santa Rosa.z
Goals
The Solar Implementation Plan (SIP) provides strategies for collaboration between local governments
and the private sector to reduce markefbarriers to the installation of solar electric systems, solar
thermal systems, and energy efficiency measures through advances in policy, financing, education, and
market transformation. It will function as a road map and plan for our efforts to move our County and
the nation to widespread adoption of solar energy and energy efficiency concepts.
The SIP is.designed to encourage the installation of solar electric and solar thermal systems and to offset
countywide,peak energy demand at minimum — ideally meeting a significantly larger portion of
countywide electrical demand ultimately — toward achieving GHG emissions reductions through
increased energy efficiency and renewable energy generation." It does this in two ways: New solar
capacity and market transformation.
New Solar Capacity
The SIP supports the goals of Solar Sonoma County:
• Add 25 megawatts (MW) of new solar generation by May 2011,3
Over the long-term, replace 250 MW of peak demand with a combination of solar energy generation
and energy efficiency,.and
• Support countywide GHG reduction targets.4
Market Transformation
In order to meet Solar Sonoma County's 2011 goal, the SIP focuses on regional strategies for market
transformation to remove financial, regulatory, and educational barriers to residential andnon-
residential property owner participation. Market transformation on a countywide scale offers several
advantages to local governments; these include the ability to coordinate with government, business,
and community partners, to collaborate on the best practices for the use of regional resources, and to
avoid duplicate or competing efforts. In addition, focusing on the countywide market allows local
z Solar Sonoma County: htto://www.sofarsonomacountv:ore/
3 In March 2008, when the Solar America Cities grant was awarded,.there were.13 MW of installed solar power systems in the
county. According to PG&E, an additional 10.75 MW of solar electric generation have been added to Sonoma County between
March 2008 and January 2010.
° Reduce GHG emissions to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2015.
Solar Implementation Plan,
-Solar Sonoma County
governments to identify ways.to collaborate on standardizing policy and regulation,.aiding,in reducing
vendor -costs through streamlined permitting and code compliance procedures, updating municipal
codes -for additional clean energy opportunities, and pursuing long=fer.m strategies for sustainable
community planning. ,
Market Barriers
Market barriers 'and -proposed solutions were identified<through astakeholder process that included
input from the Solar Sonoma County'(SSC) Working Group (a 52-membertaskforce made up of
stakeholders from government; industry, business, and community), the,SSC Board of"Directors and
Advisory Board, members of:the SSC Solar Vendor, Energy. Efficiency.Vendor, and Policy/Finance/
Incentives committees, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar America.Cities, technical team, and research
into activities by other Solar America Cities communities5 and local,government programs.
Key market barriers include:
• Differences in permitting, code.co_mpliance, building codes, zoning, and General Plan process
relating to solar and energy efficiency that require vendors to track multiple regulatory rules across
jurisdictions,
• Need for education among building'department staff, and elected and executive -level government
officials regarding emerging policy and.technological opportunities,
• Need for education among local:solar and efficiency vendors.about energy code issues and building
collaborative working relationships with local building officials,
• Lack of central, searchable library of requests for bid for solar ancl:gfficiency projects,
• Underused opportunities: to leverage existing funding resources,and
® Lack of residential and non-residential property owner awareness about the economic,
environmental, and personal benefits of solar and energy efficiency.
• Lack of a neutral energy°advocate to assist residential property owners with up-to-date information
on solar and efficiency information,options and incentives. "
Recommendations
The.recommendations included in the.Sl_P wereselecfed by the Solar Sonoma County (SSC) Working
Group and Advisory Board -from afield of more than 50 ideas suggestions compiled through the above
cited stakeholder process. Each recommendation is presented in the report with its associated market
barrier, benefits, resources, case studies, constraints, and tasks:
5 U.S. Department of Energy:solar America Cities: htto://www.solaramericacities.enerRv.gov/
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
Policies/Regulations
1— Regional Standards: Seek opportunities to create regional,stardards that simplifythe•regulatory
process -for solar generation and energy efficiency projects, -including permitting; code compliance;
municipal building code scope/content, zoning ordinances, and.general plan elements/language.
Financing/Incentives'
2 — Redevelopment/Community Development/Enterprise:Fund Programs:.Seekopportunities within
existing-.dediicated,public funding programs (e.g.,, redevelopment, community development; and
enterprise funds) to focus on.solar generation and,energy efficiency public agencyprojects within the
scope of the funding program.
Education/Outreach
3 — Training'for Government'Staff/Officials and Solar/Efficiency Vendors: Seek opportunities. and
resources to provide government staff and elected officials with training and.edu,caflon on solar energy -
and energyyefficiency to help support policyand permitting/code. compliance decisions,and seek
opportunities'to encourage and,support training and',certification for solar and'efficiency vendors in
industry protocols, local codes and standards, and'State building codes. u
4 —'Education for Community: Seek opportunities to connect citizens with solar electric, solar thermal,
and energy efficiency information and services through existing,goverriment`channe•ls seek.new
opportunities for government to educate the community on solar power acid energy efficiency grid
leverage non -governmental educational opportunities,.increasing public awareness -and making°them
more available to the community.
Market Transformation-
5 — 6learr Energy Advocate Program:, Support and promote the new countywide- Clean Energy Advocate
program, help grow public awareness ofAhis program, help grow public awareness of the;program, and
assist in identification of homeowners whose homes would be good candidates forYsolar and efficiency
measures.
6 —Request-for-Proposal/Bid Clearinghouse: Promote the creation of a countywide Web portal for
solarand efficiency government requests -for -bids to assist local vendors in identifying. bidding
opportunities and providing competitive bids, and encourage,government members'of-SSC to
participate.
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
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Introduction
Solar,power and energy efficiency constitute a win -win formula to jump start the. localeconomy and
effectively respond to the climate change crisis. To addressthese important opportunities, this Sonoma
County Solar Implementation Plan was prepared by'Solar Sonoma County, a nonprofit public/private
consortium of local governments, businesses, and other entities and individuals ,working collaboratively
to identify, and implement initiatives to promote, expand, and accelerate solar power and energy
efficiency throughout Sonoma County under a U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Cities grant
administered by the City of Santa Rosa.6
The Solar lmplementation Plan (SIP) provides strategies for collaboration among local governments and
the private sector to. reduce market barriers to the installation of solar electric and solar thermal
systems,,and'energy efficiency measures, through advances in policy, fin_abcin& education, and market
transformation. It will function as a road map and planfor-our efforts to move our County,ancl the
nation to widespread adoption of solar energy acid energy efficiency concepts..
The goals.of the plan are to make the best use of.government and private sector resourcesto promote
widespread,adoption of solar and energy efficiency measures, prevent duplication of effort, engage a
wide range ofcommunitystakeholders, standardize clean energy, implementation processes;support
local, State, and Federal greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, and support Solar Sonoma County's
goal to install 25 megawatts (MW) of.new solar energy generation in Sonoma County by May2011.
The SIP includes,six recommendations selected by the Solar Sonoma County Working.Group and
Advisory Board from more'than SO project ideas generated by SSC members,and research into activities
by other Solar America'Cities communities' and local government programs (see Appendix 1: Solar
Implementation Plan —_History).
Background -
Bringing solar.power into the mainstream in Sonoma County has long been the goal of a dedicated team
of local business,, goverriment,,and community supporters. The effort began in 2002 with the formation
of Solar Sebastopol, which worked to install 1 megawatt (MW) of new solar generation within the City of
Sebastopol. Later the group partnered with the City of Santa Rosa to serve the entire county under a
new name (Solar Sonoma.County), a new format (public/private'consortium), with new funding (U.S.
Department of Energy Solar America Cities grant), and a new goal: install 25 MWs of solar power within
Sonoma County by May 2011.$
As the local,renewable energy movement has grown,.global forces have emerged that lend new urgency
to the vision of expanded implementation of solar power: economic recession and climate change
caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
e Solar Sonoma County;_ htt : /.www.solarsonomacountv.or
U.S.Department of Energy: Solar America Cities: http://www.solaram ericacities.enerRv.aov/
8 See Appendix 2, Solar Implementation Plan .— History
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
Economic Recession
Since December 2007, the nation has experienced its worst economic recession in six decades,
beginning in the housing sector, expanding to the financial and consumer sectors, and -eventually
affecting the global economy. The California unemployment rate (12.4 percent in March 2010) is at its
highest since 1945 with four -fifths of the losses occurring between July 2008 and July 2009. In addition,
the States construction industry experienced early and steady job loss over the past two and a half
years9 and local construction experienced a 14.9 percent job loss between August 2008 and 2009.10
Meanwhile, Sonoma County's overall unemployment rate reached 10.1 percent.in October 2009,11
which is on par with the national average:of 10.2 percent. Rising unemployment and job losses are cited
as "concerning trends" in the 2010 So County Indicators reportpublished by the -Sonoma County
Economic Development Board, which noted that over the past year the number of jobs in Sonoma
County has declined by five percent.12
According to the California Employment Development Department, the national economy is about to
enter a period of recovery; however; California's economic recovery -is expected to lag behind the nation
because the State has experienced greater job losses and government budget challenges on the State
and local level.
In Sonoma County, the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which
provides funding forjob creation and energy efficiency/renewable energy programs, the Sonoma
County Retrofit/Renewables Program; which will soon provide market transformation' infrastructure,
and the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program (SCEIP),13 which provides financing for solar and
other clean energy systems and efficiency retrofits, offer a unique opportunity'to encourage investment
in clean energy technology, grow the local -market for solar and efficiency "services, create green
economy jobs, and jump-start'the local economy. A preliminary report!on SCEIP's job -creation effects
indicates that Sonoma County construction -related jobs have increase by 8.4 percent'since the
program's inception in March 2.009, in a period relative decline in jobs for neighboring jurisdictions.la
Climate Change
To prevent and mitigate impacts created by climate change and rising global temperature, the
international scientific community has determined a "safe" upper limit for GH6s to be 350 parts -per -
million' (ppm), which occurred in-1990; the current GHG level is 390 ppm.ls At the December 2009
9 A Labor Day Briefing for California, California Employment. Development,D6partment, September 2009
10 The California Economy. Bounce of Splat? What Next? Dr. Christopher Thornberg; Beacon Economics, htti)://www.sonoma-
county.org/edb/pdf/2009/what's next.pdf
11 California LaborMarketlnfo; www.labormaeketinfo.edd.ca.gov/
12 2010 Sonoma, 6unty,Indicotbrs; Sonom&County Economic Development Board, htto://www.sonoma-
countv.org/edb/pdf/2010/sotc ihdicatdrs.pdf
13 Sonoma County Energy Independence Program, http://www.sonomacountVenergv.org/-
14 "Growth in Construction Economic Activity in Sonoma County and the Sonoma,County.Energy Independence Program,"
Sonoma County Water, Agency, November 18, 2009; http://www.scwa.ca.gov/files/dots/news/Economic-Acitivity-and-SCEIP-
Nov-232009-fi nal.pdf
is "Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such -as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting
for an extended period (decades or. longer). Climate change may result from: natural factors, such as changes in the sun's
intensity or slow changes in the.Earth's'orbit around the sun; natural processes within the climate system (e.g., changes in
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen, Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change.(IPCC) Director Dr. Rajendra Pachuari opened the conference by observing that "if [the
global] temperature increase is to be limited to between 2.0° and 2.4° Celsius, global emissions must
peak no later than 2015."
Known as the scientific imperative, this global deadline illustrates how climate change, which affects
every aspect of th&local community from food and energy security to economic stability to resource
availability, is redefining government's role as protector of community health and .safety. New policies
and mandates at every level of government call for the expansion of solar power'arid energy efficiency
initiatives:
• On the.federal level, climate change is a factor in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 federal stimulus package,1fi which includes funding for energy efficiency programs, and is the
primary focus.of the American Clean.Energy and Security Act,17 which is currently under
consideration in the U.S. Senate and includes provisions'for increasing solar energy, setting_
-energy
efficiency. bench marks, setting GHG reduction targets, and transitioning to a clean'energy.economy.
• On the state level, Assembly Bill32 —.Global .Warming Solutions Act of 2006,18 which mandates
state GHG-reduction targets (1990 levels by 2020;:80'percent below 1990 levels by 2050.), opened
the door for a series.of new laws focused on. reducing, GHG emissions and transforming the market
for clean energy services, including local:government1inancing for solar and energy efficiency
Projects under Assembly Bill 811.19 Assembly Bill 474 expanded the scope of AB 811 to include water
conservation measures, augmenting that;statute.20 Senate Bill 375 requires the California Air
Resources Board to set regional greenhouse gas reduction targets for automobile/light truck
emissions and develop "sustainable.community strategies" for land use planning to reduce the
urban sprawl that leadsJo long commutes and increasing vehicle emissions.21
• On the local level, climate change has spurred an unprecedented level of regional collaboration
between governments, business, and the community. Since 2001, the Climate Protection Campaign
(CPC) has facilitated countywide implementation of the International°Council ,for Local
Environmental Initiatives. (IC LEI) five -step climate -awareness campaign thatfosters local
collaboration to establish a GHG emissions baseline, set a reduction target, develop a local climate
action, plan, implement the action plan, and monitor the results. Most recently, the Sonoma -County
Transportation Authority formed the Sonoma County Regional'Climate Protection Agency (RCPA),
the first agency of its kind in the State, to address issues of regional and local'collaboration on
climate issues.'
ocean circulation),- or human.activities that'change the atmosphere's composition (el 'g., through burning fossil fuels) -and the
land surface (e:g., deforestation,.,reforestation,.urbanization, desertification, etc.)'," U.S: Environmental`Protection Agency;
http://www.eba.eovhlimatechanize/basicinfo.htinl
16 htto://www.aovtrack.us/congress/bill.xr)d?bill=h111-1&tab=summary
17 httD://www.eovtrack:us/congress/bill:xpd?bill=h111-2454&tab=summary
18 httD://www.arb.c-a'.9ov/cc/ab32%ab32.htm
19 httD://ihfo;sen.ca.gov/6ub/07'-08/bill/asm/ab 0801-0850/ab 811 ;bill 20080721 chaotered.Ddf'
20 htt-D://irifo:sen.ta.gov%Dub/09=10/bill/asm/ab 0451-0500/ab 474 bill 20091011 chaotered.bdf'
21 httD://inf6.sen.ca'sgov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb:0351-0400/sb 375 bill 20090414 amended sen v9&odf
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
Collaboration
Sonoma.County governments have set several national precedents for regional collaboration: The first
collaborations arose as part of the ICLEI program under which all ten loca[governments committed to
reducing GHG emissions (2002), determined an emissions baseline for their respective municipal
operations,(2003), determined a countywide baseline for total GHG emissions (2004), set a countywide
GHG reduction target (2005) — 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2015 — and supported the
development of the Sonoma County Community Climate. Action Plan, which was published by the CPC in
2008."
All 10 local governments expanded their regional collaboration'in 2008-2009 by participating in:
• "Solar Sonoma Countv, a 501c3•nonprofit public/private consortium Working Group consisting of
representatives from all ten local"governments, business, community, and energy. efficiency and
renewable energy industries,to explore opportunities for collaboration to promote the installation
of solar technology and systems and energy efficiency measures , and overall market
transformation;23
® Sonoma Countv ReRiona[Climate Protection Authoritv, established in 2009 to improve inter -agency
and community collaboration.and coordinate government"and community initiatives for climate
protection;24
Sonoma County Enerev Independence Program (SCEIP), (the first comprehensive and completely
integrated countywide Property -Assessed -Clean -Energy [PACE],financing program in the nation)
created by the County of Sonoriiato',provide property tax assessment financing for solar and energy
efficiency projects using Assembly Bill"811;25 and
® Sonoma Countv Retrofit/Renewables Program, forthcoming in spring 2010, was initiated to provide
residential and commercial property owners with.one-stop accessto energy analysis, certified
vendors, and a financing packag64pr solar and energy efficiency retrofit projects, working in
collaboration with SCEIP and leveraging that existing resource.zb
Goals and Objectives
The Solar Implementation Plan (SIP).is designed to build on existing regional collaborations to encourage
theJnstallation of solar electric and solar thermal systems, offset peak energy demand through
renewable energy generation, and reduce GHG emissions through energy efficiency.
22 Sonoma County Community Climate Action Plan, Climate Protection Campaign, 2008; htti3://www.coololan.org
23 Solar Sonoma County, httb://www.solarsonomacountv.org
24 Sonoma County Regional .'Climate Protection Authority, http://www.sctainfo.orR/rci3a.htm
2s Sonoma County Energy + Independence Program, httD://www.sonomacountveheravtorg
26 Sonoma County Retrofit/Renewables Program, Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority,
http://www;sctainfb.orR/rci)a.him
4
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New Solar Capacity,
The SIP supports the goals of Solar Sonoma County:
® Add 25 megawatts (MW.) of new solar generation by. May 2.011,
Over the long-term, replace 250 MW of peak demand with a combination of,solar,energy generation
and energy,efficiency, and
® Support countywide GHG reduction targets.
In March.2008; when the Solar America Cities grant was awarded, there were,13 MW.of installed solar
power systems in the county. According to PG&E,.an additional 10.3 MW of solar electric generation
have been added to Sonoma County between March 2008 and December 2009,:aligning with the
initiation of program_ efforts in Solar Sonoma County; this number does not include solar thermal system
installations.
Market Transformation
In order to. meet its 2011 goal in a timely manner -the SIP focuses on regional strategies for market
transformatiowto remove financial,regulatory, and. -educational barriers -to property owner
participation. Market,transformation on a -countywide scale offers several advantages to local
governments including the ability to coordinate with government, business, and community partners;, to
collaborate on the best practices for the use of regional resources; and to avoidduplicate or competing
efforts. In addition, focusing on the countywide market allows local governments identify ways to
collaborate on standardizing:policy/regulation issues such.as reducing vendor costs through streamlined
permitting and code compliance procedures, updating municipal codes for additional clean energy
opportunities, and.pursuing coordinated long-term strategies for sustainable community planning;
RecommendatiorrList
The SIP includes six recommendations chosen by members of the Solar Sonoma County Working.Group
and Advisory Board.-
Policies/Regulations
1 - Regional Standards: Seek opportunities to create regional standards that simplify the regulatory
process for solar generation and energy efficiency projects, including permitting, code'compliance,
municipal buildingcode scope/content, zoning ordinances, and general plan elements/language.
Financing/Incentive's
2 - Redevelopment/Community Development/Enterprise Fund Programs: Seek opportunities within
existing dedicated public funding programs (e.g., redevelopment, community development, and
enterprise funds) -to focus on solar generation and energy efficiency public agency projects within the
scope of the funding program.
Education/Outreach
3 — Training for Government Staff/Officials and Solar/Efficiency Vendors: Seek opportunities, and
resources to provide government staff and elected officials with training and"education, onsolar energy
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Solar Sonoma County
and.energy efficiency to help support policy and permitting/code compliance decisions, and seek
opportunities to encourage -and support ttainingand certification for solar and efficiency vendors in
industry protocols, local codes and standards, and State building.codes.
4 — Education for Community: Seek opportunities to con"nett citizens with solarelectric, solar thermal,
and energy efficiency information and services .through.existing government.channels; seek new
opportunities for government to educate thecommunity on solar power and energy efficiency and
leverage non -governmental educational opportunities, increasing public awareness and making them
more available to the community.
Market Transformation
5 — Clean Energy Advocate Program: Support and promote the new countywide Clean Energy Advocate
program, help grow public awareness of this program, help grow public.awareness of the program, and
assist in identification of homeowners whose homes would be good':candidates for solar and efficiency
measures.
6 — Request-for-Proposal/Bid Clearinghouse: Promote the creation.of a countywide Web portal for
solar and efficiency government requests -for -bids to assist local`vendors in identifying bidding
opportunities and providing competitive bids, and encourage government members of SSC to
participate.
Resources and Market Barriers
Resources
To reach the goal of 25 MWs of.new,solar power by 2011 requires a clean -energy market transformation
that will result in the removal of market barriers to solar/efficiency, the stimulation of market demand,
the development of a trained workforce, and the creation of financing mechanisms to underwrite local
investment in the new green,economy. The recommendations -included in the SIP are designed to
coordinate with and enhance existing resources/programs dedicated.to local market transformation,
including:
® Sonoma County Regional Climate, Protection Authority: In 2009, through their representation on the
Sonoma County Transportation Authority, local governments supported the establishment of the
;Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) to improve communication,
collaboration, and;coordinationon, climate change issues among governments, business, and the
community, and establish;a clearinghouse for planning, funding, and implementation efforts to
reduce GHG emissions..
Sonoma County Energy Independence Program: Founded in March 2009, SCEIP.-is.the first
comprehensive and completely integrated countywide Property-Assessed-Clean=Energy (PACE)
financing program in California under Assembly Bill 811. The County of Sonoma expanded the
application of the PACE concept to a multi -jurisdictional program that is supported by all nine
Sonoma County cities. Established during a national economic recession that significantly limits
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Solar Sonoma County
traditional financing'resources, SCEIP removes one•of the biggest market barriers — lack of access to
affordablefinan,cing.— and is now a model for PACE programs across the nation.
• Grant Programs: Economic recession and climate change are the focus of the federal American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which funds local government programs for job creation
and energy efficiency and renewable energy;generation. Local governments have applied for ARRA
funds through several grant programs including the. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block'Grant
(EECBG)., program, State Energy Program (SEP), and the U.S. Department of Energy's:Retrofit Ramp
Up program.27 On February 10, 2010, the State Energy Program review committee released its
recommendation that the California Energy Commission approve two local grant proposals:
$1,914,000 to the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority through an Associatiori.of
Bay Area Governments SEP grant for residential retrofitting and $2,537,000 to the County of
Sonoma through a SEP grant for municipal financing -initiatives; final approval'is anticipated shortly:
Additional funding may also be available through the American Clean Energy and Security Act
currently in Congress.
® Sonoma Countv Retrofit/Renewables Program: Using funds from their EECBG grants, the. County of
Sonoma and the cities of Santa Rosa; Rohnert Park; and Petaluma are underwr.iting`a countywide
retrofit/renewables program for market transformation. Set'to launch in'June 2010, the program
will provide one -stop access to, the resources residential/commercial propertyowners need to
complete an energy retrofit and solar installation:.including.energy analysis.and.project,.planning,
certified'solar and energy'efficiency vendors,; and a financing package including.SCEIP, rebates,
incentives, and other applicable funding resources.
Market Barriers
While local efforts to promote solar power and energy efficiency will benefit from the above' mentioned
programs for local coordination, financing, and market transformation, the.marketplace still faces a
series of'barriers that'local government can influence, including:
• Different permitting'and building code/inspection programs in each jurisdiction;
• Hardcopy processing of solar/efficiency permitting paperwork, which requires vendors to drive
paperwork to multiple offices per project;
• Different zoning ordinances and general plan regulations regarding solar and efficiency in each
jurisdiction;
.® Varying levels of training for government -staff, elected officials, and vendors regarding solar and
efficiency technologies and code compliance in each jurisdiction;
o Different systems and locations for posting Requests for Bid for solar and efficiency projects in each
jurisdiction;
27 The Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority participated in a statewide proposal for the°Ramp.Up Program
that could bring an additional $1,650;000 for local residential retrofitting.
Solar Implementation Plan
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• .,Need for improved cornmL nication and coordination between government building officials and
solar/efficiency vendors to reduce project processing time/cost and support high -quality, cost-
effective projects;
• Need for innovative methods to finance cost=effective solar and efficiency projects for municipal and
private buildings;
• Lack,of awareness about, and -identification of opportunities to use, passive solar design concepts;
• Lack of consumer understanding about the economic and environmental benefits of solar power
and energy'efficiency, and
• Consumer hesitance about solar thermal technologies base&on-the',1970s boom/bust cycle in which
installations of early solar thermal systems were not sufficiently supported by installer expertise and
maintenance services.
In addition, local governments currently:face internal barriers:caused.by revenue shortfalls and staff
downsizing. The solar power and energy efficiency strategies outlined! below, are'designed to minimize
the demand on government funding/staff time and capitalize on the4:resources•of existing market
transformation efforts. In additions the.SIP includes additional long-term strategies (see Appendix 2:
Addition SIP Recommendations) in anticipation of improved fiscal conditions in the future
Strategies and Actions
Policies/Regulations
1— Regional Standards
Local'governments can influence the market for solar power and energyefficiency. at several levels from
project, permitting and code compliance inspections, to municipal green building codes and zoning
regulations, to General Plan strategies for long-term implementation of clean power and GHG-reducing
goals. Within each of these levels`there are opportunities for removing market barriers and encouraging
solar and efficiency improvements.
Marketplace Need: In the.current situation, each jurisdiction maintains its own criteria for these
building and planning processes and vendors must adjust their process for obtaining permits, complying
with codes, and finding local incentives for solar and efficiency projects to accommodate different rules
between jurisdictions.
Regulatory Need: In response to AB32 and SB375,28 cities and counties are formulating strategies for
GHG reduction as a part of short-term and long-term planning for both municipal operations and the
community as a whole..As a reasonable mitigation for climate.change under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the California Attorney General's office recommends development of
a climate action plan and states that a climate action plan (CAP) should be.prepared at the same time as
29 Senate Bill 375, htto://www.calaoa.orR/attachments/wvsiwvg/5360/SB375final.j)df
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Solar Sonoma County
the General.Plan update and be included in the associated CEQA-required Environmental Impact Report
(EIR).29
Recognizing the current lack of legislative or other direction on the content of OAPs and the need to.
establish criteria that would' allow CAPS to be used in,CEQA cumulative impacts, analysis;,the State.has-
developed new CEQA guidelines for climate change mitigation.30 Since 2001, all 10 Iocal�goVernments in
Sonoma County have participated in a climate protection initiative facilitated by'the Cliniate Protection
Campaign,(CPC) using the ICLEI — Local Governments for'Sustainability program.3 -through this
initiative municipal GHGiargets and CAPs were developed; in 2005, a community -wide GHG target was
set (i.e., 25 percentbelow 1990 GHG emissions levels by 20.15); and in 2008 the Community Climate
Action Plan was published by the CPC that includes -a comprehensive emissions analysis,and roster of
potential, solution strategies/approaches:(including GHG. reduction estimates, partner agencies, and
investment estimations),to reach the local GHG target.az
In the current context of new CEQA guidelines and EIR requirements as well as the establis�hmentiof the
Sonoma County Regional,Climate Protection Authority (RCPA), the logical forum for a discussion -of
opportunities for regional standards,collaboration exists through the RCPA and in the Sonoma County
Planning Directors. Monthly Meeting, facilitating a discussion of (1) new requirements, (2) goals and
objectives r.elated"to. land use planning and transportation identified by the RCPAiand its member
governments, (3) the science -based research, analysisi and' proposed solutions containedin the
Community Climate Action Plan, (4) new solutionstrategies, and (5) use of guidelines and planning
principles contained in resource documents such as Model Policies for Greenhouse Gases in,General
Plans issued by the, California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA).ss
29 California Attorney General's Office, "Clim,ate Change, the California Environmental Quality Act, and General Plan Updates
FAQ" http://ag.ca.gbv/elobalwarmingbdf/CEQA GP FAQs.odf
30 California Environmental Quality Act,guidelines update; http://ceres.ca.gov/Cega/guidelines/
31 ICLEI, htt /www.icleiusa.ord
32 Community Climate Action Plan, published in 2008, the CCAP contains science -based emissions analysis and thirty-nine
quantified GHG reductionsolutions supported by detailed research. The plan and 500-pages of supporting research are
available at www.coolplan.org
33 CAPCOA Model Policies for Greenhouse Gases in General Plans,
htto://.www.caocoa.ore/modelo6licies/CAPCOA%20Mode1%20Policies%20for%20Greenhouse%20Gases%20in%20General%20P
la ns%20-%20Ju ne%202009.odf
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
The following°,table shows opportunities for. regional collaboration on standards that affect solar and
efficiency projects.
Table.l: Regional Standards Summary
-Regula#ion(s)" -
Benefit's '4
Convenirig Entity, y:;-:-:;;,
Stakeholders
Less processing,time (government
staff and vendors)
Streamlined documentation
Redwood Empire Association
Standardized Permit
Building officials/staff
Forms/ Code
Permit fee and processing
of Code Officials
Fire officials
Compliance
incentive options
Solar vendors3"
Procedures
Eliminate vendor time needed to
Sonoma County Regional
3s
Efficiency vendors
track different jurisdiction
Climate Protection Authority
permitting'requirements
Uniform ri'sk•assessment protocols
Uniform best practices
Reduce code development cost
Address new1construction and
Redwood Empire;Association
Building officials/staff
of Code Officials
remodeling
Fire officials
Green Building Codes
Easier to,adopt new code
Solar vendors
improvements
Sonoma County Regional
Efficiency vendors
Climate Protection Authority
Eliminate'vendor time needed to
track differenijurisdiction codes
Create opportunities mencourage
solar/efficiency application of land
Elected officials
Zoning Ordinances
use olic
P y
Sonoma County;
Government planners
Create incentives for
Planning Directors
Citizens (property owners)
solar/efficiency
Monthly Meeting
Establish priorities:for,'long-term
implementation of.solar/efficiency
Elected officials
Sonoma County Regional
General Plans
Coordinate with regional
Government planners
transportation and air quality
p q y
Climate Protection Authority
Citizens (property owners)
authorities
LA — Permitting and Code Cothpliance
Market Barrier: Solar -and efficiency'vendors report that the. currentpermitting situation (e.g.", different
forms.and fees for each municipality, unpredictable, processing times) presents a barrier to cost-
effectiv,e:service because vendors must spend time -tracking -and conforming to different permittingancl.
code -compliance rules for,each community in which they'work and•coping with delays in permit
processing. In addition, ,the current reliance on hardcopy processing of permits•and code compliance
documents requires vendor time to hand -deliver paperwork to building department offices.
Recommendation: Standardize and streamline permitting/building code compliance processes, work
with contractors to. ensure timely processing of permit applications,, digitize forms to reduce the amount
of time required to prepare the forms and process applications, and institute incentives for
34 includes solar electric and solar,hot water professionals.
35 Includes building performance contractors, heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC_ )vendors, plumbing and electrical
professionals.
10
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solar/efficiency projects. Specific issues for regional consideration.are::regional permitting forms for
large solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, and energy efficiency measures; incentive options
such as reduced/waived permit, plan, and, design review fees, basing fees on the hourly rate -for actual
time spent on the project, and expedited permitting; standardized building code compliance
requirements; and obtaining widespread"use of regional forms and processes among buildingofficials
and solar/efficiency vendors.
Benefits: Standardizing and;streamlining permitting/code compliance processes and implementing_
incentives on a regional scale offer several_ benefits, including:
® Less.Time,and Lower Fees: Using standardized forms, building codeofficials can minimize or
eliminate the -time required to translate custom vendor documentation into criteria required:for
approval. Standardized,for,ms could,also eliminate the need for.plan review in many cases,,which
reduces one element of permit cost, and reduces staff time. -In addition, creating an online digitized
permitting process would reduce vendor costs in time -and money to -hand deliver paperwork to
building department offices.
• .ReducedrBid and Job'Costs: Coordinating�permitting fees across jurisdictions would simplify.the
vendor bidding process and,reduce time requi "red to track and incorporate variations 'in fee
structures.
® Uniform Risk Evaluation: The process of establishing standardized permitting forms would enable
building off iciais-to confer and obtain, regional consensus on mitigating solar- and effiaency-specific
risk factors such as,fire venting and solar'mountfrig safety.
Resources: Three local entities are suited to serve as co ;facilitators to establish regional permitting and
code compliance processes: Redwood Empire.Association of Code Officials (REACO),36 the Sonoma
County'Regional'Climate Protection Authority (RCPA),.and Solar Sonoma County.'In addition, the
collaboration would benefit from the participation by representatives of the local solar electric/thermal
and building performance industries via trade groups 1§uch As California Solar Energy, Industries
Association,37 North Coast Builders Exchange," and'Califorriia Building Performance. Contractors
Association.39
Case Studies:
• Forms: In 2009, Steve Pantazes, Building Official for the Town of Windsor and Solar Sonoma County
Advisory Board member, led an effort to design a regional.solar system permit application form with
in ut.from the five=count Red p y w°ood EmpireAssociation.of Code Officials (REACO). The,form, which
addresses residential solar systems of 5 kW or., less; has been distributed to local building
departments. Pantazes reports that.both building officials are at varying stages..and solar vendors
36 Redwood Empire Association of Code Officials, li : /wwwxeaco.org[
37 California Solde Energy Irid ustriesAssociation, htt' : /calseia.org(
38 North.Coast Builders Exchange, hito://www.n6beonline.com/
39 California Building Performance Contractors Association, h11p_J/www.cboca.orgZ
/www.cboca.org(
11
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Solar Sonoma County
are inconsistent in adopting the,form due to collateral challenges such as severely reduced building
department staffing in local jurisdictions and the need for further education and training,in using the
form for building department staff and vendors. Solar Sonoma County also hosted a Solar Permitting
Symposium on November 10, 2009, to discuss regional permitting'standards that included building
officials and solar vendors. SSC is also initiating quarterly forums to facilitate ongoing building
official-vendor/contractor collaboration..
® Expedited Processing:, Solar Sonoma County's�_Solar America Cities partner, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
is incorporating accelerated project permitting, reduced permit fees, and'"feebates" into solar
projects to encourage adoption.. Portland,. Oregon, has instituted an electronic permit submittal
process in which the application is.reviewed within 24 hoursby a:staffirn&hbertrained in solar.40
Sacramento, California, has developed a checklist for residential solar based on a universal
application prepared by Sacramento Municipal Utilities Department (SMUD). ai
Incentives: The U.S. Department.of'Energy's Energy Efficiency.and Renewable Energy (EERE)
program's Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRESOLAR) recommends
incentives such as a flat -fee permit structure or waiving permit'fees:and fast -tracking permitting for
solar projects.42 In addition, the!bSIRESOLAR notes that, for commercial properties, flat -fees based
on actual permit processing costs.are about 10 percent the cost'of a valuation -calculated fee based
on the overall project cost:.. Among jurisdictions that have waived"solar permitting fees are Los
Angeles, Santa Monica, an& he counties of San Diego and San Bernardino. In addition, the City of
San Jose does not collect building permit taxes on construction,or installation of solar energy
generation equipment. Builders.in the County of San.Bernardino.who participate in the County's
green building program- receive accelerated plan review, priority inspections, design assistance, and
community recognition, for,qualified'projects. The City of -,Mill Valley waives select building permit
fees for solar system installations.that:meet five City guidelines and comply with City regulations for
the zoning district in which the;installation is located. 4.3
Constraints: While the regional solar application form developed by Pantazes and REACO has improved
consistency. among participating,jurisdictions, several barriers still remainrincluding (1) budget -related
downsizing in building departments;,which affects processiig-time; (2) need.for guidance from elected
leaders regarding ,the priority status; ofregional permitting/code compliance_ efforts, and (3) need for
better mutual understanding between.building officials and'vendors about solar and efficiency project
permitting,,code'compliance; and implementation methods.
Tasks: Convene and1acilitate,a discussion of`permitting and code compliance"opportunities through
existing venues provided by the Redwood Empire Association of Code Officials, Solar Sonoma County,
and Sonoma CountyRegional Climate Protection Authority, determine a,strategy for identifying
40 Portland,. Oregon, online permitting:service: httr)://www.i)ortiandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?c=47394
ai Sacramento, California, permitting,process update:
http:/isacramento'.biiiournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/10/26/storv4.html?ana=from rss#
42"Permitting Incentives," D,SIRESOLAR'; http://www.dsireusa.ora/solar/soiari)olicypuide/index:cfm?id=16&printable=l
43 "City Policy Regarding Fee Waivers for Solar Energy Systems," November 22, 2005,
htto://www.co.marin.ca.us/dents/CD/main/pdf/BEST pdf/solar/MillVallev FeeFlver.pdf
12
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Solar Sonoma County
appropriate regional protocols, and seek local approval for a regional proposal. Bring; recommendations
to local governingbodies as appropriate.
1.B — Green Building Programs
Market Barrier: Nine of the 10 local,governments in Sonoma County have adopted green building. codes,
using primarily the Build It Green program for residential and Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design .(LEED) program for commercial buildings. The majority of these green buildings codes are
mandatoryfor new. construction, three, include. protocols for -renovation projects; and the point
requirements an&allocations differ between jurisdictions. TheJa"ct that the specifics and scopeof the
codes vary from community to community requires solar and.efficiency vend rsao spendtime tracking
and conforming,to the;specific programs for each community in which they work. In.addition, smaller
communities face a barrier to implementing more rigorous codes because they lack resources to
develop them.
Recommendation: Create a regional -green -building program in, order to (1) share"lessons learnecl..by
each community including the effect of green.building.ordinances (GBOs) on the marketplace and:cost-
effective administration:methods, (2) ensureevery community has a -green building program, (3) _apply
GBO standards to exist:ing.biiildings by including renovation requirements, and (4) minimize market
barriers to efficient processing of new and'remodel,green building projects.
Benefits:-Standardizing,gr.een building programs on a regional scale offers;several benefits, including:
Less Time:'A regional green building"program would.minimize the time _requ,ired by vendors to track
program protocols and customize project documentation to different requirements.
Timely Cost -,Effective Adoption of Program Updates: A regional -green building, program would
provide. a,central system for evaluating new opportunities in green building protocols.and
tech riologies�and facilitate the timely and cost-effective adoption of new best practices:44-
Support Future GHG, Reduction Requirements:,A regional green building program would, position
local governments to;respond in a timely cost-effective manner to:directives:from State and Federal
governments.regatding:GHG reduction r(e.g:,;California;Assembly Bill 32 that mandates an GHG
reduction.to 1990'levels by 2020), and -explore more stringent remodeling triggers,to extend green,
-building standards{and energy analysis,to existing buildingS.45
Resources: Three local entities are'suited to serve a"s co -facilitators to establish a,regional green.building
program: Redwood Empire Association of'Code Cffficials:(REACO), the Sonoma County Regional Climate
Protection Authority (RCPA),and the Sonoma County.Planning Directors Monthly Meeting.
44 The SolarAmerica Cities partner Sacramento is�preparin&pidelines foriiriplementing solar in°historica1.districts and urban
tree-canopy.and building height regulations to protect access'to.sunlight exposure.for solar,systems. The.City.of Cotati-requires
all new construciion'to,pre-plumb for solar hot.water.
as Local examples of mandatory,remodeling triggers include Cotati (commercial:o8er 2,500 sf), Healdsburg:(residential overr500
sf), Sebastopo[ (cornmercial'over 1,800 sf), and Marin County (residential over 1,000 sf)
13
Solar Implementation Plan
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Case Studies/Additional Resources: CALGREEN: On January 12, 2010i the California Building Standards
Commission unanimously adopted the first -in -the -nation mandatory Green Building Code (CALGREEN)
for. new buildings that requires increases in energy and rwater.efficiency to assist in meeting the State's
greenhouse gas reduction goals: achieve -a B percent renewable energy capacity by 2020; reduce GHG
emissions to 1990 levels by 2020; and achieve 80 percent reduction:below 1990 levels by 2050. The
mandatory program goes into effect on January 1, 2011, and includes additional, more stringent
voluntary requirements to encourage deeper GHG reductions. It is intended'to provide a baseline "plug -
and -play" above —Title 24 code program..The program contains renewable energy guidelines, such as
south -facing building orientation for solar exposure, installation of solar electric and solar thermal
systems, and roof space and pre -wiring for future solar:
Constraints: Developing a,regiona'I.green building program will. require staff time and the willingness to
change or update existing green building program parameters -to achieve a regional consensus.
Tasks: The Redwood Empire Association of Code Officials is currently i`eviewing-the new State code
provisions to identify opportunities to create a model code for regional adoption and is looking for input
from community partners such as the Sonoma County Planning Directors Monthly Meeting, Sonoma
County Regional Climate Protection Authority and other interested-parties:to identify appropriate
strategies for achieving'regional consistency in local green buildingcodes and sharing of best practices.
1.0 — Zoning Ordinances
Market Barrier: Zoning ordinances offer an opportunity to explore additional options for increasing solar
and efficiency throughr regulatory streamlining and incentive opportunities.
Recommendation: Identify and implement options within zoning measures to encourage and support
solar and efficiency. Some potential zoning options would be:
® Solar Enhancement Zone: Based on the model of the enterprise zone, a Solar Enhancement Zone
(SEZ) would offer property owners within its boundaries a suit"eL.Qf incentives for new and existing
building solar installations and energy efficiency retrofits, such as free permitting, fast -track permit
processing, or high density bonus.
® Infill Proiects: The SEZ could also apply to infill projects across multiple zones.
® Solar Options: The SEZ requirement might require the new construction owner to implement at
least one of three solar -options: solar electric, solar thermal, or,passive solar design or offer a
density -.bonus to developers who pre-wire/pre-plumb for solar electric and solar thermal or include
preinstalled systems.
Benefits: Identifying zoning opportunities for solar/efficiency would support benefits such as:
Integration of Solar Energy Generation into Land Use Planning: Focusing on opportunities available
through zoning ordinances would support and inform the long-term General Plan effort to capture
maximum solar energy generation capacity to minimize fossil -fuel use and peak demand load, while
creating immediate incentives for solar and energy efficiency improvements in the short-term.
14
Solor Implementation Pldn
Solar Sonoma County
Resources: The Sonoma'County Permit and Resource Management Department (PRMD) will be
investigating code updates.for new construction to create incentives for solar`installations as part of a
code review to identifygreenhouse gas reduction opportunities in zoning and general plan updates; this
effort is funded by the County's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant, program,(EECBG).
Case Studies- The;City of :Sonoma has pioneered a variation on the solar enhancement zone concept
with two programs: Solar Energy Business Loan and Energy'Efficiency Matching Funds programs, which
provide a local. example of how incentives for..solar.and efficiency, projects might be tied to -zoning.
Applicable to businesses with the'City's redevelopment zones, the Solar Energy Business Loan Program
provides a maximum loan amount -of $50,000 at 3 percent interest for owners of existing commercial
properties"who are installing, solar electr.ic'orsolarthermsl systems. The Energy,Efficiency Matching
Funds Program provides.a maximum $1,000 dollar-for=dollar matching -fund loan,for a_ range of .
efficiency improvements including lighting retrofits, insulation installation, weatherization measures,
energy management systems, and. HVAC system upgrades;;the loan is forgivable after a year, upon
verification that the efficiency measures are installed and maintained."
Constraints: The current,economic recession has limited the resources -and staff"aAflable to explore
new plan hing:strategies; however, regional collaboration on this issue could minimize the cost to
individual governments and result in regional approaches that streamline processes and encourage the
implementation of best practices.
Tasks: Convene'discussion of zoning opportunities through the already scheduled Sonoma County
Planning Directors Monthly Meetin&code update process and share identified strategies and'concepts
with local government planning departments for early adoption.
1.D. — General Plans
Background: As the means by Which communities set locai priorities and define long-term goals,;
General.Plans offer multiple opportunities to support the widespread adoption of solar electric, solar
thermal, and energy efficiency. General Plans are also emerging as an important tool in regional
planning to meet local:and State-GHG; reduction targets..ln 2005, Governor Schwarze iegger set a
precedent by sigriing,Executive Order S-3-05, which establishes a series of long-term GHG reduction
targets for State agencies.41 In 2006, Assembly Bill 32 (Global Warming Solutions Act) established a GHG,
target to reduce total statewide emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and assigned the California Air
Resources Board with the task to set regional targets and strategies'in a Scoping.Plan.48 In addition,
Senate Bill 375 (2008) established additional direction to local government on land use.planning for GHG
46 City of Sonoma's Solar Energy Business Loan Program
(htto://Www:sonomdcitV.o�e/uploads/Econ%20DeveI/(fDA%2OGuidelines%20Nov08Solar.odf);,Energy Efficiency Matching
Funds Program (httr)://www.sonomacitv.oriz/uploads//Econ%2ODevel/CDA Guidelines Oct08Enemv.pdf)
47 Executive Order S=3-05 requires State agencies to achieve 2000 GHG emission levels by 2010, 1990 GHG emission levels by
2020, and 80 percent below 1990 GHG emission levels by 2050.
48 Climate Change Scoping Plan: A Framework for Change, California'Air Resources Board, December 2008,
httD://www.arb:ca:eoV/cc/sc6binoblan/document/adopted scoping olan.pdf
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reduction.49 In June:2009, the. California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) published
Model Policies for Greenhouse Gases in General Plans, 50 which provides resources and guidance on
incorporating GHG reductiongoals into'the,General Plan process. Inits report, CAPCOA emphasizes the
importance of coordinating General Plan updates with regional planning tools such as regional
"blueprint plans" (i.e., compendium of local government recommendations on land use and transporta-
tion provided to regional transportation/,metropolitan planning;entities), regional transportation plans,
and air quality district attainment plans. The above initiatives highlight the growing importance of the
General Plan process in capturing the GHG -reducing potential of'renewable energy and energy
efficiency and as a conduit for regional coordination.
Recommendation: Local governments can engage RCPA and. NGOs input and supportto enhance local
General Plans through the inclusion°of.best practices and forward -thinking policies for renewable energy
and energy efficiency. This will allow local governments to maximize opportunities for realizing a
sustainable, clean -energy community and achieving compliance with State and local GHG reduction
goals.
Benefits: Updating General Plans for renewable energy and energy efficiency provisions provide a
variety of benefits, including:
• State and IocaLGHG reduction'compliance: General Plan provisions can -expand opportunities for
GHG reduction through measures such as designation of and protection for sites suited to
renewable energy generation and flexible zoning to allow use of open space for renewable energy
projects.
® Expansion of new construction markets for renewable energv and energy efficiency: General Plan
provisions for new construction can set the long-term vision for green building and renewable
energy regulations that capture maximum cost=effectiveness through the integration of solar energy
generation, passive solar, and efficiency features during the project design phase.
• Optimize green building stanclards.1 Establish preferred priority status for green building policy that
exceeds State requirements and incorporates emerging best practices such as "solar -ready"
standards and passive solar requirements for new buildings.
• Identifv and remove proiect. processing barriers: General Plan provisions can establish protocols for
streamlining processing procedures for new arid -existing building projects for renewable energy and
energy efficiency.
Resources: The Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) and the Sonoma County
Planning Directors Monthly Meeting are likely resources for convening a regional discussion on climate
49 California Senate BH075 (2008) directs the California Air Resources Board to set regional reduction -targets for
transportation -related GHG emissions and focus on opportunities for GHG reduction through "sustainable community
strategies" for land -use planning.
so Lee, Barbara, and.Yu, John. 2009. Model Policies for Greenhouse Gases in General Plans, California Air Pollution Control
Officers Association (CAPCOA); http://www.caiDcoa.ore/modeloolicies/CAPCOA-ModelPolicies-6-12-09-915am.l)df
16
Solar Implementation: Plan
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protection strategies for general plan updates. In addition, the new Attorney General rules regarding the
State's new CEC,A:and EIR requirements for -climate action plans (CAPs)51 coupled with the local regional
approach, as evidenced by the.founding of the RCPA, and the existing countywide.Comrnunity.Climate
Action Plan, offer -an unique opportunity to use the updating of the regional climate,a,ction plan as a
means to coordinate strategies for general plans and zoning.Additional resources include -the California
Air Resources Board's ('ARB) Local Government Toolkit,sZ and the ARB Local Actions for Climate Change
Website.13
Case Studies:
The Marin County Sustainability Program received the National Planning Excellence -Award for
Implementation in 2008 from the American _Planning Association for its ground -breaking strategies
for GHG reduction.54 The County's progressive strategies for clean energy and GHG reduction are
incorporated in its,General Plan (i.e..Marin Countywide Plan), which includes features such as
expedited permitting and fee wa.ivers for projects that exceed state and local.building standards,
solar installations that meet 75 percent.of the project energy needs, and projects that meet,green
building checklist. requirements; technical assistance; green building resource,libra_ry.trairiings;fo.r
staff, building professionals,.and the public; and coordination with other municipalities.ss
In June 2009, the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA) publish_ed`Model
Policies -for Greenhouse Gases in General Plans,,,which provides recommendations on General Plan
options for clean energy and GHG reduction gleaned from'a survey of best practices,in a,variety of
jurisdictions. The'r,eport provides background on environmental and legislative conditions and a list
of General Plan element and provision examples for local government consideration.
Constraints: The current economic recession has limited the resources and staff availableto explore,
new planning strategies; however, regional collaboration on this issue could minimize.the'cost to
individual governments and result in regional approaches that affect the full.greenhouse gas -emissions
picture (e.g., transportation, electricity/natural gas use, water efficiency) and implement consistent best
practices.
Tasks: Convene discussion of General Plan opportunities through the already scheduled Sonoma County
Planning Directors Monthly Meeting code update process and coordinate with discussion regarding
updating the countywide climate action plan for CEQA-compliance and local government adoption.
51 Amended CEQA guidelines, effective March 18, 2010,
http://ceres.ca.a6 /tech/dots/Adopted and Transmitted Text of SB97 CEQA Guidelines Amendments.odf
sz California Air Resources.Board, Local Government Toolkit,.htto://www.coolcalifornia.oriz/focal':eovernment
53 California Air Resources,Board; Local Actions for Climate Change-Website,
http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/localaction/localaction.htm
54 YouTube video on Marin County Sustainability. Program:,http://www.voutube.com/watch?v=39XOb53f6rM&feature=user
ss Marin Countywide Plan, http://www.co.marin.ca.us/depts7CD/main/comdev/ADVANCE/CWP/INDEX.cfm
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Solar Implementation.P16n'
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Financing/Incentives
2 = Redevelopment, Community Development, and Enterprise Funds
and Energy Service Company Option -
Market Barrier: For public and private property_owners;.the costof:solar and energy efficiency
improvements is frequently the most significant barrier to taking action. Rebates and tax benefits
reduce the overall cost and financing these efforts spreads the cost over time.
Recommendation: Identify local government,community development/redevelopment funds as well as
public., utility (water, sewer and waste management) enterprise funds to underwrite solar and energy
efficiency projects and -identify opportunities to use the Energy Service -Company (ESCo) model in which
an ESCo develops, installs and riionitors, and provides financing.for municipal projects, and assumes the
risk that the energy savings'and reduced maintenance,costs will be sufficient to repay the capital
improvement financing.56
Benefits: The benefits of additional funding sources include:
• Public and private property improvements: Redevelopment Agencies can use their funding sources
for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for both public and private properties. ESCo can
also be used for public.and.private properties.
• Not General Fund money: The use of Redevelopment, Community.Development, and enterprise
funds does not affect local government General Funds, which are severely limited by current
economic conditions. ESCos also allow governments to finance projects without using General Fund
,money.
• Funds produce energy cost savings: Enterprise funds and ESCo vendors can be used for projects that
provide solar energy sources for their operations and improve efficiency, resulting in energy cost
savings and stabilizing future energy costs.
Resources: Community developm,ent/redevelopment agency and enterprise funds for solar and energy
efficiency projects are available to local governments. Redevelopment Agencies can use property tax
increment revenues and Tax Allocation Bond proceeds for public and private projects within designated
redevelopment.zones and -affordable housing projects within jurisdictional -boundaries. Enterprise funds -
come,from user fees for services like water, sewer, and waste management. Projects that -maintain or
improve these services can use enterprise funds or revenue bonds guaranteed by these user fees. ESCo
financing is typically used by municipal agencies and districts and is dependent on a well -designed
project scope to yield energy savings'equal to or larger than the financing costs.
66 National Association of Energy Service Companies: htti3://www.naesco.orR/resources/esco.htm
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Background/Case Studies:
The City of Sonoma used their Community Development Agency as a,source of funding for its Solar
Energy Business Loan. Programs' which provides commercial property owners within their
redevelopmentdistrict a loan of up to $50,000,for the installation of a solar electric system; and its
Energy Efficiency Matching Funds Program;s$-whIich provides business and.commercial property
owners with up to $1,000 dollar-for-doIlarmatch ing grant for efficiency improvements such as
lighting upgrades, insulation, weatherization, energy management systems, and HVAC upgrades.
The City.of Santa Rosa and the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) use their enterprise funds for
solar and.energy efficiency projects.. The City of Santa Rosa Utilities Department began
implementing solar•energy in 2004 atthe: Laguna.Treatment Plant with a 21kW solar panel system..
This array generates approximately 33,400 kWh of energy annually that helps offset th_etoperational
energy use -of the plant. The Sonoma County Water Agency has installed energy:efficiency .
improvements including window film application and lighting retrofits. The window film application
.has'a lifetime of 15 years and saves SCWA approximately 30,000 kWh annually. More than 600
lighting fixtures were'retrof'itted and provides SCWA approximately 62,000 kWh in annual savings.
The City'of'Sebastopol used water and sewer enterprise funds to finance solar projects that served
the wastewater collection system and water distribution system. In addition, Redevelopment
Project Funds were used to finance a portion of..the installation cost for solar on the Police, Station
and Redeyelopment.Affordable Housing Funds were used to finance the installation of solar on two
affordable housing projects, totaling 65 housing units.
The County of Sonoma the Energy Service Company model to implement is Comprehensive Energy
Project (CEP), which is a component of the County's municipal Climate Protection Action Plan. The
CEP is'being implemented as a design/build project under the authority of Government Code
Section 4217.10:et. seq., which allows public agencies to award energy saving.projects to Energy
Services Companies (ESCo) on the basis of experience, type of technology employed, cost, or other
relevant considerations. The CEP includes lighting retrofits for-20 buildings, replacement or
reconstruction of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment for four buildings,
replacement of chillers and other equipment at the Central Mechanical Plant, water reduction
retrofit of several large County facilities, and installation of a 1.4 megawatt fuel cell power
generation plant with heat recovery.
Constraints:.Use of Redevelopment Project. Funds requires that the location of specific projects be
within the community's redevelopment zones. Projects:funded by Redevelopment Affordable Housing
funds can be located anywhere within .the jurisdiction. An Implementation..Plan.containing specific goals
and objectives for redevelopment projects, and estimated expenditures must be adopted every five
5-1 City of Sonoma Solar Energy Business Loan Program,
httD://www.sonomacitv.deg/uoloads/Econ%20Diavel/CDA%2OGuidelines%2ONovO8Solar. Ddf
58 City of Sonoma Energy Efficiency'Matching'Funds Program,
httD://www.sonomacity;org/uploads//Econ%2ODevel/CDA Guidelines OctO8Enerev.odf
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years. In order to use redevelopment funds for energy. efficiency/renewable energy projects, they must
be included as a -component of the Five -Year Implementation Plan. Uses of enterprise funds are limited
to operations and projects of that enterprise or utility (e.g., water, sewer, and airport).
Tasks: In order to use redevelopment funds, language such as, ".programs for energy efficiency
improvements including but not limited to photovoltaic andsolar thermal systems, and upgraded utility
systems" should be amended to the Redevelopment Five -Year Implementation Plan at the earliest
opportunity.
Education
3 = Training for Government Staff/Elected Officials and Solar/Efficiency Vendors
Market Barrier: Solar power technologies and energy efficiency measures represent the emergence of a
new marketplace for green services. Along with that new marketplace come technologies and
techniques unique to these industries and their ultimate product: clean energy. Many of the newest and
most effective innovations in solar and efficiency go beyond State code requirements. Building officials
are increasingly short-staffed and over -worked, yet market -generated technologies/techniques are
growing every day. On the other hand, solar and efficiency vendors are also pressed to track updates in
State codes that affect their projects. In this accelerated environment,. both vendors and code officials
need support to keep abreast of industry and code developments and minimize in -field instruction to
remediate installation problems as they work together to complete successful projects. Mutual training
opportunities should be pursued whenever possible.
Recommendations:
Government Staff/Elected Officials:, Establish regular opportunities to educate and train municipal staff
and elected officials on energy efficiency and renewable energy:
® Provide ongoing educational programs for government elected'officials on energy polices,
regulations, and funding opportunities.
Train building permit staff in current solar and energy efficiency techniques and regulations so they
can be frontline representatives,for property owners seeking to remodel, retrofit, or build new
structures.
Solar/Efficiency Vendors: EncourageJocal clean energy vendor communities to participate in industry
certification programs that maximize the quality of local service delivery, reduce delays in project
permitting and inspection completion, and promote consumer confidence.
• Support and partner with local clean energy industry trade groups to encourage widespread vendor
participation in recognized certification programs.
Support local clean energy vendor participation in the Countywide Retrofit/Renewables Program,
which includes vendor protocols and certification guidelines.
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Solar Implementation Plan
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Co -Training Strategy: Traihing/certification programs and industry update workshops provide an
opportunity for building code officials, solar/efficiency vendors, and other building trade professionals
to learn together and share.knowledge.
Provide co-trainingo.pport'u.nities for building officials and industry vendors to encourage better
understanding of the needs of the other party, facilitate effective working relationships, reduce hold
ups, and find opportunities to save time and expedite projects.
Benefits: Training and education programs have both immediate and ongoing benefits, including:
• Time -efficient inspection of solar/energv efficiencv'proiects: Building officials will be aware of
current solar and efficiency regulations and,technologies when reviewing projects. Solar and'
efficiency vendors will be aware of new code and project inspection issues and opportunitieslo be
proactive.in project implementation.
Informed assessment of clean enerOv opportunities: Elected officials can ensure that solar and
energy efficiency are considered.in all projects and programs coming to their attention.
• Informed constituents: Elected and building official awareness of solar/energy efficiency resources
and concepts offers additional opportunities for them to share key ideas and benefits with the
public during the regular course of business, directly benefiting the entire comm_unity'and the
environment. Solar/efficiency vendor awareness of code rarid inspection issues offers additional -
opportunities for them to ensure timely project approvals and foster consumer confidence in high
quality project results.
• Maximize emerging technologies: Training for government staff and solar/efficiency vendors,in new
technologies and solar/energy-efficiency products ensures that projects use the most. efficient
approach and have the greatest benefits. Training in new building code requirements ensures
solar/efficiency vendors can reduce.costs associated with delays in project approval•and permitting
caused by code issues.
• Building partnership between building officials and local vendors: When building,officials and
solar/efficiency vendors participate together in training.courses, relationships are created that help
build trust between these two groups.
Resources: Training opportunities for elected off icials,'building officials,, and vendors can be -coordinated
through several local entities, including REACO, RCPA, local governments, and.SolarSonoma County. In
addition, local, state, and national organizations frequently offer Webinars and other internet-based
information and training, as well as traditiorial classroom -based solar/energy efficiency training
programs, conferences, and workshops.
Case Studies:
• On January 25, 2010, the City of'Santa Rosa's Solar.America Cities program, Redwood, Empire
Association of Code Officials (REACO), and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) hosted a
21
Solar Implementation Plan
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Solar Domestic Thermal Inspection Course for code officials and'solar thermal vendors.
Underwritten by a grantfrom the U.S. Department of Eriergy'!OREC program,.the course provided
an overview of system theory and building, mechanical,, plumbing, and energy conservation codes.
Oh November'10,2009, Solar.Sonoma County hosted a Solar Permitting,,Symposium for building
official and solar vendors that featured presentations. from -building officials on current and future
regulations, examples of common installation mistakes found during compliance inspections, and
group brainstorm on solutions for,common implementation problems.
• San Jose, California, (a:Solar America,City) hosted a Regional Renewable, Energy Permitting
Symposium that attracted.120 building, code, fire, and permitting leaders from 22'Bay-Area cities.
and solar representatives to. improve the solar permitting process.59
Building Officials.and.'Solar/Efficiency. Vendors: There are a variety of training,resources for government
and industry participants for residential and commercial properties. An.important cornerstone of the
clean energy -industry is the California Energy Commission's Home Energy Rating System (HERS) for
whole -house raters, whichprovides pr_.opertyowners with -a clean energy plan (i.e., energy analysis) that
supports high quality installation of energy efficiency features in .California homes.60 Technical and
building code training is also provided by the code official associations, solar industry, building
performance contractor industry; 'PG&E's Public Goods program, and the Redwood'Empire Association
of Code Officials, which has hosted two regional trainings and his planning additional training events.e1
Industry -specific technical as well as building code training programs and education opportunities are
provided by:
• Solar: CALSEIA is the California Solar Energy Industries Association. It supports the widespread
adoption,of solar thermal and solar electric systems by educatiing'consumers and supporting solar
legislation. This organization has members that are manufacturers, contractors, utilities, educational
organizations and local governments. Its goals include legislatiori-to help achieve an open and.
competitive,.market, create and/or modify codes, standards'and regulations to promote safety,
reliability, durability, and reduce costs and improve construction efficiency.62
Solar: North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP-) is a voluntary board of
renewable energy stakeholder representatives from the solar industry, NABCEP certificants,
renewable energy organizations, policy makers, educational groups, and the trades. NABCEP
provides voluntary training/certification programs for solar electric and solar thermal to promote
renewable energy, support solar vendors, promote worker safety and skill, and increase consumer
confidence.6s
59 http://www.sanioseca.gov/esd/natural=energv-resources/RenewableEnergvSvmi)osiumRegistration.htm
60 www:energv.ca.pov/HERS/index.htmI
61 For information of REACO training events, visit: kttp://www.reaco.org/education.htm
62 www.calseia.org
63 htto://www.nabcei3.org/certification/the-need-for-certification
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Solar Implementation Plan
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® Solar: The International Brotherhood of Electrica1.Workers (IBEW)�has been-a�strong local supporter
of solar energy efforts and provides training for installers of solar energy systems and Is a partner in
Solar Sonoma County.64
O HERS:.CaICERTS,, Inc. is a private organization, approved, by'the California EnergyrCommission to
provide 2008 Title,24, Part 6 Field-Verification:and Diagnostic Testing services and 'H_E_RS II whole -
house energy�analysis services under the -forthcoming HERS II program.6s
0 HERS: The California Home Energy Efficiency Rating*System (CHEERS) has been approved by the
Energy Commission to oversee HER§Raters•providing 2008 Title 24, Part 6 Field'Verification and
Diagnostic Testingservices and HERS II whole -house energy analysis services'under'the.forthcoming
HERS II program.fi6
® HERS:,C.alifornia Building Performance Contractors Association provides training and,certification to
HERS raters 2008 Title 24, Part 6 Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing:services; HERS II whole -
house energy analysis services under the forthcoming HERS ll program, and home performance
contracting.with the Building -Performance Institute's Home Performance with ENERGYSTAR ••
prog ra m.67
® GreenPoint Rated: Build It Green is a non-profit.organization that works to accelerate. the. adoption
of green building.,practices. Build It Green is the certification body for Certified Green Building
Professional and GreenPoint Rated rater p"rogram.68
® Public :Good Training: PG&E offers a wide range of,solar and energy efficiency training opportunities
for different audiences and education levels,,both online and in the'classroom.69
a Building Code Training: Training in.California building codes and code compliance can.be obtained
through the California Association of Building.Energy Consultants (CABEC)70 and California Building
Officials,(CA'LBO).71
Elected'Officials: Educational opportunities and Websites aimed at a non -technical audience are
provided,by several organizations, including:
The US Department of Energy's website for information on energy efficiency and renewable
energy technologies.72
O The US.Environmental Protection'Agency's Local Climate"and Energy Program.73
64 www:ibew.ork .
65. www.calcerts.com
66 www:cheers.org
67 www.cbvca.orP,,
68 www:buiIditereen.orp
69 www:pee.com/mvbusiness/edusafety/training
70 htto:i/www.cabec.org/education.ohW
71 htto://www.calbo.org/industry pro/default:asox
7z
' www: e e re,e n e rgv i gov
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Solar Implementation Plan
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• The Database of State Incentives for 'Renewable Energy_(DSIRE).74
o The California -based Center for Energy Efficiency°and Renewable Technologies (CEERT).75
• Solar Sonoma County.76
Recognizing that elected leaders have less need for detailed training and greater time constraints,
solar/energy efficiency educational opportunities can be most easily used if they are integrated into
existing opportunities.
Solar Sonoma County provides4ocal training and educational workshops.: and. events for a range of
participants: Organizations that.may be able to co -host or provide training venues include:
• Sonoma Countv Region al'Climate Protection Authority could provide ongoing education targeted to
their Board of Directors, composed of elected representatives from all Sonoma County jurisdictions,
at their monthly meetings.
• The Mavors'and Council Members Association has bimontlily meetings and can organize special
study sessions for all County elected officials.
• The Climate Protection: Evervbodv, Profits Conference, organized by the Climate Protection
Campaign, is another ideal opportunity to include solar/energy efficiency information aimed at
elected officials.
• The Citv Managers meeting is,anothet monthly forum Where discussion of these issues with senior
governmental managers,is available.
Constraints: An organized system to, notify local government officials acid staff about appropriate
educational and training opportunities,requires.on-going staff time to set up'and maintain notification
lists, identify educational and training opportunities, and prepare and distribute the information. Local
educational and training programs require funding for the people and other resources to plan and
implement these events.
Tasks:
• Identify.a: host organization and ongoing funding for an 'education ind training notification system.
The mission of Solar Sonoma County makes. it a good choice for operating an education and training
notification system as Well as a potential organizer of local events: The Sonoma County Regional
Climate Protection Authority would be an ideal public agency to coordinate this project. Utilization
of the City manager's group for notification of elected -officials is also recommended.
73 www.epa.Rov/cleanenergv/eriergV-Proeram`s/state-and-local/loca1.htmI
74 wwwAsireusa.org
75 wWVV.ceert.org
76 www.solarsonomacountv.org
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Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
Set up and maintain notification lists of public officials and building permit staff;. With separate lists
for the type of educational or training event, (Le., policy and funding for elected and/or other policy -
oriented officials, and technical training for building permit staff).
® Track and identify educational and, training opportunities,'summarize and post on.a Website.and
distribute the information via a updates ora.similar notification system.
• Develop and present specific topic workshops and training events as local training and educational
needs are identified.
4 — Education for Community
Market Barrier: Solar and energy efficiency have been part of the community'discussion since the' 1973
energy crisis that challenged the societal belief in the invincibility of a fossil fuel based economy and
introduced the benefits of°energy conservation and renewable energy sources.. However,, it ' ou,ld take
another;'three decades,and the emergence of climate change to position these technologies for
widespread implementation. Today local solar and efficiency vendors are still the lead providers of
property -owner education, spending;significant time providing a client with the information°he/she
needs to, identify project.,goals and benefits and make a sound investment decision." While their effort
is supported by education campaigns sponsored by partners.such as PG&E, Sonoma County Energy
Watch, Sonorna'Co'unty'Energy Independence. Progrem, and Solar Sonoma County; there, is'still,a'need to
educate the,,community'on the solar/efficiency benefits, technologies, and project planning in order to
encourage,the high participation levels needed to.meet local solar energy generation and GHG
reduction goals.
Recommendation: Identify opportunities for local government to (1) supportthe use of existing
education channels.or (2) support the creation of°:new initiatives to educate citizens,about the
economic,.environmental; and community, values of.solar electric and thermal'systems acid energy
efficiency upgrades.to encourage property owner participation and reduce GHG ernissions from
buildings.
Benefits: Providing consistent and comprehensive community education on solar and efficiency will
produce the following,benefits:
® Well-informed property owners: Property owners, and renters who understand the basic science and
economics that- lead'to asuccessful -solar/efficiency project will be better equipped to. identify their
project goals and navigate project implementation.
• Create market'deMandfor high participation: By'allowing.the use of its existing communication
Channels and collaborating on new education initiatives, local'government�can encourage
responsible implementation of solar and efficiency projects -and community interest in solar and
efficiency improvements.
77 Local vendors report they can spend from one to.two or more hours (depending on the property owner's, prior familiarity
with clean;energy technologies) educating potential.clients about the basic principles. and benefits of.sol'ar and energy efficiency
upgrades.
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Solar Implementation Plan
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• Increase tax revenue through solar/efficiencv-related economic activity and iob creation: For the
next two to three years (2010 —2012) federal stimulus funding will support job creation and.GHG
reduction efforts toinitiate a local economic recovery.
Community Education — Build on Existing Education Channels
Recommendation: Use existing educational channels to outreach to -the community to increase
installation of energy efficiency and solar energy projects.
Benefits: The benefits of using existing educational resources include:
• Cost-effective: Adding information about energy efficiency and solar energy to existing outreach
tools can be accomplished with little or no additional cost.
• Diverse messaging media: There are many current educational tools, offering a variety of contact
points with the public, increasing the possibility of contacts with the public.
• Frequency: Current communications with -the public are frequent, multiplying the likelihood that this
information will be noticed.
Resources: Existing communication tools to provide solar and energy efficiency information to Sonoma
County residents and businesses include:
• Utility bills (water, energy,, garbage) — Web and/or phone contact information can be printed
directly on the bill, with more detailed information provided.using inserts.
• 'Bug ads" — Print bug ads with web contact information on the envelopes used for other agency
business (see below).
i (16i"E12�
• City newsletters — Many communities send newsletters to residents. Solar and efficiency
information should be'regularly highlighted in existing newsletters.
• Tax bills — Web.and/or phone contact information can be printed directly on the bill, with more
detailed information provided using inserts.
• Building department displays — Educational and literature displays in city, hall and building
department lobbies, libraries, and other public offices.
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Solar Implementation Plan
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• City/County Websites — Provide'links to the forthcoming Web portal that will, be co -hosted by
Sonoma County Energy Independence Program and the Countywide Retrofit/Renewables•Program,
which will include a, roster of energy efficiency and solar information, access to energy analysis
services, roster of efficiency and solar vendors, and access to project financing resources such as
SCEIP, rebates, incentives, and tax credits.
• Demonstrate examples of solar and energy efficiency projects using public buildings or selected
private facilities and publicize with press releases to local newspapers.
Partner with the Countywide Retrofit/Renewables Program and SCEIP to circulate solar and
efficiency informationto local organizations to include in'their newsletters and on.their Websites,
including community -service clubs (e.g., Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, etc.), trade and business
organizations (e.g.; SEIU, IBEW, Teamsters, North Coast Builders Exchange, Chambers. of Commerce,
Farm Bureau, North Bay Association of Realtors, Sonoma County Alliance, GoLocal, etc.),
environmental organizations (e.g., Climate Protection Campaign, Sierra Club, Sonoma County
Conservation Council, Sonoma County Conservation Action, Greenbelt Alliance, Sustainable Sonoma
County, etc.), and Sonoma County religious organizations.
• Support and partner with the Countywide Retrofit/Renewables Program and SCEIP to provide a
speakers bureau service for local community groups providing presentations to the groups:such as
those listed above.
• Provide, government staff in partnership with NGO staff such as SSC to answer questions about solar
and energy efficiency by tabling at large public events such as the County Fair, Farmers Markets,
Santa Rosa Downtown Market, etc.
• Include Web links to solar and energy efficiency information in govern ment.emails,with notices
about upcoming meetings.
• -Put Web link to Countywide Retrofit/Renewables Program and SCEIP as a footer on staff/official
emails.
• Create regular press releases to local newspapers and magazines (Press Democrat, Business Journal,
The Bohemian, etc.) that highlight different solar and energy efficiency benefits or programs such as
the Sonoma County Energy Independence Program, the Countywide Retrofit/Renewables Program,
Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority, and other local education efforts.
• Disseminate education and information through online marketing and social media communication
channels.
Background/Case Studies: The communication tools_ listed above, although focused on other
conservation issues; have been used for many years by the Sonoma County 'Was'te Mariagement
27
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
Agency,78 the Sonoma County Water.Agency,79 and the Santa Rosa Utilities Department.80 They have a
wealth of experience in these methods and should be used as a resource.
Constraints: Implementing the above opportunities to update existing communication methods for
community outreach may require some staff time and additional funding. Coordinating these strategies
through the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority and partnering with existing regional
and nonprofit groups offers opportunities to minimize funding and staff time demands.
Tasks: Coordinate with the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority, Countywide
Retrofit/Renewables Program, SCEIP, and other local groups such as Solar Sonoma County to identify
the best means for obtaining regional information resources and implementing their dissemination
through existing communication channels.
New Education Initiatives
Recommendation: Seek new opportunities to expand community education opportunities.
Case Studies: A survey of community education, initiatives from the Solar America Cities program yielded
the following options for consideration; many of these initiatives are implemented through
public/private /nonprofit partnerships:
O Door-to-door neighborhood education programs: Defined.by the California Energy Commission as a
Tier-1 initiative under the California Comprehensive Residential Building Retrofit Program, these
programs typically employ entry-level people with limited training or neighborhood/community
organizations in campaigns to provide simple energy efficiency measures and
education. They provide immediate assistance installing compact fluorescent bulbs, low -flow
showerheads and faucet aerators, and identify appliances that are good candidates for replacement
with a high efficiency model. -In addition, they provide advice on behavioral measures such as
turning the thermal heater to 12WF, properly operating windows for ventilation, and using shades
to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer. Examples include:
The Neighborhood Collaboration Program in Denver, Colorado, (a Solar America City) partners
with the Mile High Youth Corp to provide outreach to low-income households that includes
porch light upgrades, forms to cancel junk mail, a checklist energy audit, and referral to the local
Weatherization Assistance Program provider for eligible households."'
In March 2010, the City of Sebastopol and the North Bay Association of Realtors launched a
door-to-door campaign to'provide residences and businesses with information and coupons for
water and energy conservation measures from PG&E, the Sonoma County Energy Independence
Program, and other resources.
'$ Sonoma County'Wa'ste'Management Agency, http://www.recvclenow.org/
79 Sonoma County Water Agency,.http://www:scwa.ca.gov/index.phn
80 City of Santa Rosa,..http://www.ci.santa=rosa.ca.us/departments/utilities/Pages/default.aspx
81 Denver's Neighborhood Collaborative:•www.groundworkdenver.ore%neighborhood-collaborative.htm
28
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
• Tours of buildings with solar systems.and efficiencv upgrades: Two Solar America Cities (i.e.,
Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington) host annual tours of homes and: businesses that have
installed solar systems and efficiency measures. They participate in the National Solar Tour program,
which provides guidance on how to plan and implement public tours of improved properties for
community educatibri,"'During the tours, visitors can speak with the building ownersabout their
solar system performance, energy. -savings upgrades, use of sustainable principles in building design,
and green building materials. Solar Oregon, a public/private partnership based`in Portland, Oregon,
also coordinates the Oregon Green and:SolarTour, a tour program providing 13 tours in five
communities across Oregon. In addition, Solar Oregon also hosts a Goal Net Zero Tour in May
featuring one green home under,construction, one.recently built Net Zero home, and one vintage
home in the early stages of a Net Zero renovation.83 In addition, Build It Green, the.nonprofit
organization promoting green new construction and remodeling practices and standards, sponsors a•
Bay Area —wide Green Point Showcase Tour featured Green Point Rated homes.84
Prooertv owner classes in solar basics: Solar Oregon is a non-profit membership organization
providing public education and community outreach,to encourage Oregonians to choose solar
energy and a partner with the Oregon Department of Energy,and City of Portland in the Solar'Now
project:85 Solar Oregon offers a five course curriculum for property owners. that includes: Residential
Basics of Going Solar, Commercial Basics of Going Solar, How to Buy a Solar Electric System, How to
Buy a Solar Thermal System, and Passive Solar Building Design.
• Web portal and USS6 map of solar systems: Eleven of 'the 25 Solar America Cities have orare in the
process of developing geographical informationisystem (GIS) maps of their communities that show
where solar systems have been installed and include'the ability to click on the colored- lot indicating
a solar'installation to view a photo and other rinformation about the project. Solar Sonoma County,
.the County of Sonoma, and the Sonoma County'Energy Independence'Program are partnering on a
GIS mapping feature similar to the one,provided on the Sonoma County Energy Action (SCEA) Web
site .87 Local governments can support the'countywide project. by informing property owners"with
retrofit projects about the opportunity to participate in the local GIS map project and suppoq the
project by providing.contact inform6tion1for property owners with new solar and energy efficiency
,projects.
• Neighborhood networks: The Empowerment Institute sponsors the Cool America program to
organize education and behavior change at -the neighborhood level. Local governments can partner
with existing neighborhood associations to sponsor "Carbon Reducing Teams" through efforts such
82 The National Solar Tour program is -sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society, a nonprofit dedicated to "inspiring an
era of energy innovation and•speed.the transition to a sustainable energy economy," NST anticipates the October 2010 national
tour will host 160,000 visitors and include 5,000 buildings in 3,200 communities nationwide,
http://ases.org/index.ohp?option=com content&view=article&id=158<emid=16
83 Solar. Oregon NetZero Tour: www.solaroregon:org/tours/goal-net-zero-home=tour
84 2009 GreenPoint Showcase Tourinformation: http://www;bdilditgreen.org/greenpoint-showcase/ '
85 Solar Now: http://www.solarnoworea6n.org/about.htmi
86 Geographical information system (GIS)
87 Sonoma County Energy Action:,www.sonomacountvenerevaetion.org
29
Solar Implementation: Plan
Solar Sonoma County
as the Cool America program, which uses the book, Low Carbon Diet: A 30-Day Program to Lose
5,000 Pounds, as a teaching tool to help neighbors form carbon reducing teams -to learn how to
reduce their energy use and explore renewable•ene"rgy,generation. The program also includes
resources to host two-to=four-hour Global Warming.Cafe workshops for large -group dialogues about
ways to empower the community to become part of the climate protection solution.88 .
Suggestions: The Solar Sonoma County community also proposed several new ideas:
• Netzero holiday lights contest: Sponsoring a "Net Zero Holiday Lights" or "No Coal in Your Stocking"
contest featuring homes and businesses with holiday displays that use -LED lights, have offset their
display energy use, or are powered by solar generation.
Clean energy leader awards: Establishing a community Clean Energy Leader Award to recognize
property owners who have. made significant reductions in -their fossil fuel energy use through
efficiency and solar. Such a program could be countywide with awards granted to the top two -to -
three clean energy candidates from each community. The criteria -for selection would be a per. -
capita clean energy use.('o.r carbon footprint) calculation that would;accommodate improvements to
the, building and occupant behavior.-Cin a countywide basis, the:property owner who achieves the
lowest per -capita footprint would receive a special award and special acknowledgement would go to
his/her community.
® Labeling program for retrofitted/solarized homes: Local governments could collaborate and partner
with the Sonoma County Retrofit/Renewables Program and the Sonoma County Energy
Independence Program to, provide a Clean Energy signage program that identifies properties in the
community that have undergone an efficiency/solar upgrade. The signs could, where applicable,
include energy use ratings from HERS II and GreenPoint Rated -as well as the City or County insignia
and be designed to be displayed in a window or on the exterior of'the building.
Constraints: Because of current economic conditions that limit government resources and staff time,
local governments could partner in such educational projects With local programs such as the Sonoma
County Energy Independence Program, Countywide Retrofit/Renewables Program, or Regional Climate
Protection Authority and nonprofits'such as Solar Sonoma County, Climate Protection Campaign,
Efficiency First, Build It Green; and Redwood Empire Green Building Council.
Tasks: Identify, appropriate new outreach initiatives; seek partners, identify existing community .
outreach resources that can, be applied to new initiatives, and seek,approval of local jurisdictions for
new program concepts. .
88 The Cool America-program�is sponsored by the Empowerment Institute, which is dedicated to empowering communities to
achieve measurable behavior change atthe,community and organizational level,
http://www.emi)owermentinstitute.net/Icd/Icd files/Cool America Flier color sm.pdf
30
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County .
Market, Transformation
5 — Clean Energy Advocate Program
Market Barrier: Property owners planning to implement,a deep -energy reduction project combining
efficiency measures, water conservation,, and solar energy generation are challenged to find an
integrated source.for,education about the process and available technologies and opportunities, as well
as financing options. The time required to research options; talk to vendors and finance,sources, and
determine a project strategy can be significant and become a barrier to project completion.
The City of Santa Rosa has been awarded a Solar America Cities Special Projects grant -to establish a
countywide Clean Energy Advocate Program (CEA) that will provide an independent non-commercial
advocate'to help property owners navigate the planning and, implementation of deep energy.retrofit
projects, combining energy and water efficiency and solar:energy generation."The program targets
residential. and small business property owners.
The:goals of the CEA program are to (1) provide anindependent advocate to educate property owners
about project planning, financing; and, implementation as well as opportunities to achieve -energy
savings through occupant behavior, (2) increase the number of property owners w,ho install`solar
electric and solar thermal systems,'(3) significantly ;improve the outcome and experience of'property
owners who install solar systems, (4) increase employment in the renewable energy and efficiency
sectors of the County, and (5) help local governments and communities meet local and State
greenhouse gas reduction targets. In addition, CEA will also support the Solar Sonoma County goal to
install 25 megawatts of new solar -generation by 2011.
Recommendation*.Support and promote the new countywide Clean Energy Advocate program and`
assist in identification of program candidates. '
The CEA program objectives are:
• Educate individualproperty owners and answer auestions from proiett start to finish.
• Help property owners understand proiett scope and loading order choices'to maximize proiett
results.
• Help propertv owners obtain a financing package that provides optimal cost-effectiveness.
• Help,propertv owners coordinate with market vendors.
• Support vendor accreditation/certification.
• .Support collection of pre- and post-proiett enerRv use data to track iob performance and GHG
reductions.
B9 Interstate Energy Renewable Council press release on the:City.of Santa Rosa's ClearEnergy Advocate, Program:
http://irecusa:org/2009/11/solar-america-city-Santa-rosas-clean-enerev-advocate/
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Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
• Educate the public on efficiency/solar retrofitting.
® Collaborate with the Sonoma Countv Energy Indeoendence.Program and the.Countvwide
Retrofit/Renewables Program to align market transformation efforts and leverage exist ing.resources
for property owner benefit.
Benefits: The CEA program is designed to provide the following benefits to property owners and the
community:
• Promote high levels of clean energy retrofit participation: By providing non-commercial education
about the solar and efficiency retrofit process, the CEA will streamline the property owner education
process, support identification of property owner project goals, and reduce the education
investment reouired.of market place vendors. In addition, the CEA will support and align with the
community education efforts of the Countywide Retrofit/Renewables Program.
• The CEA program will be implemented countywide: The CEA model will serve all 10jurisdictions
within the county and support, consistent community education.
• Streamlined program that provides solutions to practical problems: The. CEA program will be
designed considering stakeholder input to ensure it provides the right mixture of education and
practical problem solving assistance to support successful projects.
• Online project analvsis and.trackine tools for CEA participants: In collaboration with the
local/regional GIS project mapping project, the Sonoma Coun,WE'nergy Independence Program, and
the Countywide Retrofit/Renewables Program's development of a -centralized web portal, the CEA
will contribute online resources for tracking project progress and GHG reduction results.
• Support climate protection goals for local government general.plans: The CEA program will support
long-term GHG reduction strategies for local government by supporting the integration of energy
and water efficiency with solar:electric and solar thermal technologies to demonstrate the deep
energy reduction potential of the efficiency/solar model.
Resources: The CEA will work in partnership. with Solar Sonoma County, the.Sonoma County Energy
Independence Program, and the Countywide Retrofit/Renewables Program to increase the adoption of
deep energy retrofitting in Sonoma County.
Case Studies: Three Solar America Cities have piloted similar programs upon which the CEA was
modeled:
Solar Now, Portland, Oregon: The Solar Now program provides a series -of property owner classes in
the basics of solar electric and solar thermal systems, community presentations on solar, a
32
Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
contractor referral service, solar home tours, community event outreach, and an monthly e-
newsletter for property owners.90
• MadiSUN Solar Agent, Madison,Wisconsin: The MadiSUN Solar Agent program provides.commercial
property owners with bundled packages of solar financing rebates and incentives and'a free solar
consultation service that helps property -owners evaluate solar technology, architectural options,
explain permit and zoning issues and how to deal with them, assist with obtaining project quotes,
provide a list of local installers, assist'with applying for solar funding, and provide *assistance during
the'installer hiring process.91
Y SmartSolar, Berkelev, California: Launched in April 2009, the SmartSolar program provides.free solar
energy consulting.services from the City of"Berkeley and its partner the Community Energy Services
Corporation.92 The program helps property.'owners understand and adopt energy efficiency and
solar technologies through education on available technologies and assistance with project
planning, cost assessment, and financing. The program uses the Berkeley Solar Map to assist,"with
solar capacity assessments.93
6 — Clearinghouse for Request -for -Bids
Market Barrier: Public agencies and private projects lack a single, convenient, easily:accessible central
location for posting solar and energy efficiency project opportunities in Sonoma County; forcing vendors
to proactively use various information sources (e.g., Web, newspaper, trade magazines, phone calls) at
multiple locations to find this information.
Recommendation: Establish a central Web -based clearinghouse to list requests•for proposals (RFPs) and
construction,bidding opportunities for solar -electric, solar thermal, and energy efficiency projects in
Sonoma County.
Benefits:.A central location for, listing solar and efficiency and solar RFPs has several benefits, including;
• Convenient access to information: Vendors will be able to rapidly and easily check for new projects
that they can consider bidding on.
• Proiects will be presented to a range of vendors: Project developers and local governments will be
able to present their projects to a large.and diverse audience of potential contractors, helping match
projects to the appropriate vendor.
O Easv and timely identification of Proiects: Both vendors and project promoters will be.able to
expedite the solicitation and response time for new projects.
90 Solar Now workshops: http://www.solaroreaon.org/workshops
91 City of Madison, Wisconsin; MadiSUN SolaF Agent Orogeam,
http://www.citvofmadison.com/Sustainability/City/MadisUN/businesses.cfm .
92 City of Berkeley:SmartSolar Program, http://www.citvofberkeleV:info/Content Print.asox?id=38066
93 City of Berkeley. Solar Map: httq://berkelev.solarmap.ore/solarmap v4.html.
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Solar Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
® Open competition: Presenting projectslo a large audience will help ensure equitable business
opportunities for local vendors as well as.optimum pricing and best value .
Resources: The'Web now -provides an appropriate platform to host an easy access to solar and energy
efficiency project opportunities and links to detailed information about projects.
Background/Case Studies: A similar service is offered by the North Coast Builders.Exchange (NCBE),
which is a member -operated, not -for -profit association serving the construction industry primarily in
Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake counties -The NCBE provides members with detailed information on
construction projects throughout the North Coast area for which full plans and specs are in NCBE plan
rooms, as well as listings of bid results, building permits, projects in the pipeline, legal notices, and the
ability to search for items within these categories on the Web.
However, this service includes a wide range of project types in addition to solar and energy efficiency
projects, is based at the NCBE°office location, and NCBE membership is required to access the
information collected.
The. NCBE has been in existence for over 50 years and is well known to local governments and project
developers. When a public works department issues bid documents, copies are sent to the NCBE as a
matter of course. There is no charge for listing a project. Project documents submitted in paper form are
scanned by NCBE for Web -site retrieval by their members. Two full-time staff maintains this service,
ensuring the information is timely and updated as necessary.
Constraints: The establishment of a central web -based clearinghouse for solar and energy efficiency
projects will require a host organization and staffing to keep the information organized and updated. A
single, impartial site that is widely advertised will provide the best results. Likely host organizations are
the Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority or Solar Sonoma County.
Tasks: Identify a host organization and ongoing funding for web -site operation. The mission and non-
profit, independent status of Solar,Sonoma County makes it a good choice for a possible host and
operator. The Sonoma County Regional Climate Protection Authority (RCPA) would be an ideal agency to
coordinate this project. Subtasks.include: Identifying host organization,and Web page format/functions,
communicate RFP posting opportunities to local governments and public agencies, coordinate outreach
or advertising campaign to invite participation.by private companies and property owners, and maintain
RFP Web presence to upload new projects and removed expired, projects.
Such a centralized Web -base clearinghouse could be built on a contact management system that would
allow each participating public entity or business to pay a small fee for the right to upload it RFP
documents on a per -upload basis providing an affordable option to the current newspaper
advertisement system.
34
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36
Appendix 1: Solar Implementation Plan History
The Solar Implementation Plan (SIP) is designed to help local governments contribute to Solar Sonoma
County's goal of. installing 25 megawatts of new solar capacity by 2011 and maximize adoption of solar
and efficiency through government leadership and marketplace transformation. The SIP Was'proposed
under the U.S. Department of Energy Solar America Cities grant to identify opportunities for
collaboration and partnership both among governments and with the private sector to develop. regional
programs for policies/regulations, financing/incentives, education, and market Transformation that
make the best use of government and, private sector resources, prevent duplication of effort, invite
participation from more community stakeholders, and standardize implementation. processes (e.g.,
permitting, inspection) to support wide spread adoption of solar and efficiency upgrades.
The SIP development process included:
• Research: Research included project ideas in development by other Solar America Cities and
research and interviews with all ten local governments to identify successful program models,
.current barriers to solar adoption, and possible solutions to address these. barriers.
• Solar Sonoma County Stakeholder/Membership Recommendations: Proposed
recommendations were collected from SSC's Working Group and Policy -Finance -Incentive, Solar
Vendor, and Energy Efficiency committees.
• Recommendation Selection: More,.than50 recommendations were compiled through the above
research and input process. The SSC staff and,advisors consolidated- the list to the,top 24
recommendations. These recommendations were submitted to the SSC Working Group, Board
of Directors, and Advisory Board through,a survey Voting process fhat-allowed the membership
to assist with the final prioritization. The recommendations not highlighted in this report are
provided in Appendix 2 and remain a source of -additional opportunities for market
transformation initiatives.
• Final SIP Preparation: The top six recommendations were augmented with additional research
and consultation with local experts to. provide a useful profile of each recommendation
including the market barrier it is designed to remove, benefits, local resources, case studies,
constraints, and tasks.
37
Appendix 2: Additional SIP Recommendations
The following recommendations were generated during the stakeholder input phase and development
of the Solar Implementation Plan, and represent additional opportunities for local government to
support market transformation for clean energy adoption. The proposed recommendations below are
listed in order of their popularity with the SSC stakeholders and membership as documented by the SIP
voting process:
ENERGY/SOLAR ANALYSIS TOOL LENDING LIBRARY: Working as a coalition, local governments could
establish a library of energy analysis tools; similar to the PG&E tool library, to provide local efficiency
and solar start-ups with the ability to.rent the equipment on an as needed basis until they are achieving
a client volume that support purchasing their own equipment. This might be part of the Countywide
Retrofit/Renewables Program.
CLEAN ENERGY GRID: Local governments could implement options for increasing the clean energy
profile of the local grid including utility -scale solar development such as is recommended in Santa Rosa
Green Building Advisory Committee. report and Sonoma County Community Climate Action Plan
(Community Choice Aggregation) through an existing regional entity such as the SCTA Regional Climate
Protection Authority.
SURROGATE ROOF SOLAR GENERATION PROGRAM: Local governments could establish "Surrogate Roof'
program modeled after the City of Sacramento (a Solar America City) in partnership with the
Sacramento Municipal Utility District, where solar electric systems installed on large municipal roofs can
carry extra capacity, the extra energy is sold to the energy market, and credit goes to City residents and
businesses. This option would require a local municipal utility district or community choice aggregation
body.
LEVERAGE AMERICAN RECOVERY/REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA) FUNDS FOR CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS:
Use federal/state grants (e.g., ARRA, EECBP, State Energy Program) to provide financial incentives such
as (1) increasing property owner rebates for.solar and efficiency; (2) creating a local Sonoma County
Energy Independence Program interest rate buy -down program; OR (3) participating in a mortgage buy -
down program, such as the 14X program, which offers reduced mortgage interest rates contingent upon
renovating or building to meet specific energy reduction targets. For existing homes, mortgage interest
rates would.be lowered by 1 percent'if, with a minimum homeowner investment in efficiency upgrades
and/or renewable energy systems (which is added into the new mortgage), the home is renovated to
meet a minimum HERS 70 (or equivalent rating). For new homes; interest rates would be lowered by
percent for achieving a HERS 70 rating and 1 percent for achieving a HERS SO rating.
CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BONDS — SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS: School and hospital
districts could work with local NGOs (e.g., Solar Sonoma County) to apply for California Renewable
38
Solar Implementation Plan
, Solar Sonoma County
Energy Bond financing to promoted the installation of solar systems on school campuses and hospital
facilities.94
MUNICIPAL ENERGY FUND TO BANK COST SAVINGS: Local. governments could explore establishing an
"energy fund" financial model that collects the energy savings garnered from improvements to
municipal operations and uses the funds for continued municipal efficiency.projects.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ENERGY POLICY: Local governments could collaborate with affordable housing
organizations, the Sonoma County Housing Coalition, and other NGOs on developing a policy/program
to integrate solar/efficiency features into the design for new affordable housing to lower energy costs,
for low-income households.
NEW CONSTRUCTION' SOLAR POLICY: Local governments could require pre -plumbing and. pre -wiring for
solar thermal and solar electric for new building and -development; For example, Cotati requires pre -
plumbing for solar installations and has tree -trimming policies to preserve access to solar exposure in.
new construction building codes.95
NATURAL GAS REDUCTION POLICY: Local,.governments could implement policies and programs to
encourage offsetting natural gas use with solar for heating and thermal for both municipal and private
properties.
SOLARIZED EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SYSTEM: Local governments could establishsolar-powered
emergency preparedness support by installing solar electric systems on key energy points to maintain
communications and services during.emergency (e.g., City of New York solar emergency preparedness
model). This idea could also be expanded to establish a cutoff switch program to solarized well pump
operation during natural disasters for both municipal and private wells.
MUNICIPAL SOLAR ANALYSIS SOFTWARE: Local governments could collaborate with,NGOs and industry
professionals on developing a financial analysis software tool that will allow government staff to enter
basic data on a proposed solar/efficiency project (some of which may be supplied by skilled
subcontractors such as solar vendors or energy analysts) and generate apples -to -apples profiles of
proposed municipal projects for internal decision making before going out to bid.
CLEAN ENERGY INCENTIVE PROGRAM: Local governments could establish a countywide incentive
program (e.g., a Clean Energy Award Program) for all county property owners where a demonstrated
energy -use decrease would make them eligible for a rebate on the permitting and inspection fees
incurred during their project.
94 In 2009, 44 projects in Sonoma County received 2009 CREBs allocations totaling $38 million. As of March 2010, the RCPA is
exploring the benefits of forming a bond pool structure for Sonoma County CREBS issuers to potentially.minimize the
transaction costs of individual bond issues, secure a competitive interest rate, reduce local government/public agency staff time
expenses,.and provide assistance with project design, economics and implementation to maximize the benefits of these solar
and efficiency projects. Internal Revenue Service 2009 CREBs Allocation Schedule: htto://www.irs.F-ov/oub/irs-teee/ncrebs
95See California Energy Commission's New Solar Homes Partnership: http://www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/nshp/index.html
39
Solar' Implementation Plan
Solar Sonoma County
POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT CRITERIA: Local governments could define and set criteria for Power
Purchase Agreement projects that woul l,facilitate the selection of properties where the solar
installation will not exceed the building's realistic useful life.
CLEAN ENERGY LEASING POLICY: Local governments could participate i,n.setting regional municipal
standards for leasing property that include solar and efficiency upgrade requirements.
CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BONDS — PROJECT EVALUATIONS: Local governments could work with
relevant NGOs to create a low-cost solar evaluation program for municipal buildings that would provide
a solar analysis of a target property before applying for CREBS to ensure proposal focuses on the best
opportunities.
40
5/13/2010
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
Solar Sonoma County
Solar Implementation Plan
•Nonprofitpublic/private consortium — local
governments, businesses, other entities and
June 21, 2010
individuals
• Collaborate to promote, expand, and accelerate solar
power and energy efficiency throughout Sonoma
County'
Funded by grants from U.S. Department of Energy's
SolorAmerica Cities program through the City of Sonto Rosa.
SOLAR AMERICA
-CITIES,'`
Solar Sonoma -'County Santa Rosa
• Goals: = Founding partner in Solar Sonoma County
�d
—Add 25 megawatts (MW) ®®"'r `::. Grant lead for
of new solar generation;:, — DOESoIar-America Cities 2008 rant:
b May 2011; current). g
V Y Y
7 :�9"ib "• „', Form countywide stakeholder organization
10.75 new MWs installed °"--�
• Create countywide Solar Implementation Plan
— Long-term, replace 250 MW peak demand •Conduct public outreach/education — 2009 Solar Fair
with solar energy/energy efficiency
— Support. countywide GHG reduction target by — DOE Solar.America Cities 2010 grant:
Establish`Clean Energy Advocate Program
promoting clean energy opportunities, Conduct public outreach/education — 2010 Solar Fair
Solar Implementation Plan Key Concepts
• Set of recommendations,to address;market • Countywide approach
barriers to solar and energy. efficiency • Public/private/community partnership
industries • Collaboration and innovation
• Compiled from: • Local initiatives
— Research on Solar America City and local programs
— Interviews with local government, partner staff •Leverage local resources
— Input from 50-member SSC'Working Group,
SSC committees, and-SSC leadership
1
5/13/2010
Regional Standards
• Market Barrier:
Time consuming compliance across
.jurisdictions
• Recommendation:
Standardize, streamline regional processes for
— Permitting and code compliance
— Municipal building code content
— Zoning ordinances
— General Plan elements
Government/Vendor Trainings
• Market Barrier:
Fast pace of technological innovation
• Recommendation:
Provide solar/efficiency training for
government electeds/staff and codeAraining
for vendors
— Provide co -training opportunities where building officials
and vendors train together
Clean Energy Advocate
• Market Barrier:
Consumer confusion about what to do
• Recommendation:
Support Clean Energy Advocate program
— Independent third -party information source
— Help property owners understand process and energy
information
— Support vendor certification process
— Support project data collection
Funding Programs
• Market Barrier:
High upfront project costs
• Recommendation:
Find ways to fund solar/efficiency projects
through existing fund programs
— Redevelopment Funds
— Community Development Funds
— Enterprise Funds
— Energy Service Company
Community Education
• Market Barrier:
Lack of consumer awareness
• Recommendation:
—Include solar/efficiency message in existing
community outreach efforts
—Collaborate on new initiatives to education
community: door-to-door education,
solar home tours, neighborhood networks
Bid Clearinghouse
• Market Barrier:
Hard to find solar/efficiency bids at multiple
locations
• Recommendation:
Establish one Web -based clearinghouse for
project request -for -bids
— Solar electric
— Solar hot water
— Energy efficiency
2
5/13/2010
Next Steps
• Council acceptance of SIP action items.
• Solar Sonoma County pursuit of
granting funding to support
local government SIP activities