HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 5/7/2019 - Memorandum From Lisa Rosintoski And John Phelan Re: Utility Owned Solar On SchoolsUtilities
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222 Laporte Avenue
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.212.2900
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: May 1, 2019
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
FROM: Lisa Rosintoski, Deputy Director Utilities, Customer Connections
John Phelan, Energy Services Senior Manager
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
RE: Utility Owned Solar on Schools
The purpose of this memo is to provide background and additional detail regarding utility owned rooftop
solar inquiries from the community. Councilmembers have been receiving recent communications from
residents regarding utility owned solar panels on schools.
Bottom Line
Fort Collins Utilities does not have current plans for locating solar panels on school facilities. Utilities
does offer incentives for customer-owned and power purchase agreements for behind the meter systems
for home and non-residential solar. In addition, Utilities works closely with Platte River Power
Authority to incorporate additional wind and solar sources into the community resource mix.
Staff have also been in contact with Poudre School District (PSD) regarding the proposed model. They
have an exemplary record of reducing non-classroom operating costs through efficiency improvements
and energy efficient design standards. However, PSD is not currently seeking partners to install solar on
school rooftops for a variety of operational and financial reasons.
Background
Residents have recently been contacting City Leadership regarding utility owned solar panels being
located on school rooftops. Many of these residents have received information on this topic from the
grassroots organizing of the Community for Sustainable Energy (CFORSE).
In the fall of 2017, Councilmembers requested more information regarding solar business models,
including utility owned rooftop solar. Staff reviewed recent presentations from other utilities, completed
an economic analysis, and had discussions with several utilities who had implemented different types of
solar programs that included utility owned rooftop solar demonstration projects. Summary results were
presented to Council on May 8, 2018 and to the Energy Board on July 12, 2018.
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Recommendation
Staff’s recommends the utility owned rooftop solar business model remain on the broad list of
renewable energy options to be reviewed as part of the Energy Policy and Climate Action Plan updates,
which will include the development of local distributed generation goals and business case analysis for
consideration as policy updates and budget offers.
Suggested response to residents:
Dear Resident,
Thank you very much for your inquiry regarding locating utility-owned solar panels on school
roofs.
We have met with Mr. Fred Kirsch from Community for Sustainable Energy on numerous
occasions to discuss the concept of utility owned solar panels. We also coordinate closely with
Poudre School District regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities.
Staff presented solar business model options to City Council in 2018 and will continue to work
with the Energy Board regarding potential recommendations for the next budget cycle.
CC: Trudy Trimbath, Energy Manager, Poudre School District
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