HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 11/26/2019 - Memorandum From Lisa Rosintoski And John Phelan Re: Utility-Owned Roof Top Solar Customer ResponsePage 1 of 2
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
222 Laporte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
970.212.2900
V/TDD: 711
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: November 21, 2019
TO: Mayor Troxell and Councilmembers
FROM: Lisa Rosintoski, Deputy Director, Utilities Customer Connections
John Phelan, Energy Services Senior Manager, Fort Collins Utilities
THROUGH: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Kevin R. Gertig, Utilities Executive Director
RE: Utility-Owned Roof Top Solar Customer Response
Bottom Line
The purpose of this memo is to provide the following suggested response for City Council members who
may receive communication from residents based on the canvassing materials from Community for
Sustainable Energy (CFORSE) regarding utility-owned roof top solar.
Thank you for contacting City Council on this topic. Be assured that staff are working to review
potential options for utility ownership of distributed solar as part of the “Our Climate Future”
initiative. These plans are scheduled to be completed before the end of 2020; if you would like to
participate, please visit https://ourcity.fcgov.com/ourclimatefuture.
Fort Collins Utilities continues to review the business model for utility-owned solar on roofs in Fort
Collins with Community for Sustainable Energy (CFORSE). Utilities has been sharing results with
CFORSE to align inputs and assumptions for the optimal economics of the rate-payers. Utilities remains
committed to including this approach as an option within the “Our Climate Future” initiative. As
confirmed with Council previously, Utilities continues to recommend that this approach not be
implemented in absence of the comprehensive policy review currently underway.
Background
Residents continue to contact City leadership regarding utility-owned solar panels being located on local
rooftops. Residents have received information on this topic from the grassroots organizing of the
Community for Sustainable Energy (CFORSE). CFORSE employs door-to-door canvassing, contacting
thousands of Colorado residents every year to raise public awareness of local energy issues and to
organize citizen support. CFORSE generates letters from the public to decision makers to encourage the
implementation of clean, smart energy technology and policy.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 492F7166-9376-4C97-9DF6-BCA8887BB4A4
11/20/2019
11/20/2019
11/20/2019
11/21/2019
11/21/2019
Page 2 of 2
Utilities staff met most recently with Mr. Fred Kirsch, CFORSE director, on November 5
th
to review an
update to a spreadsheet solar business model analysis. During the meeting, several input assumptions
were reviewed and follow up items identified. Mr. Kirsch indicated that he is focused on a potential
program for 2023 when the next budget cycle will be implemented after the Climate Action Plan and
Energy Policy updates are adopted.
Staff has identified the need to verify the interest of local building owners to host local solar in order to
determine the potential for this approach. Staff will be working with Utilities Customer Accounts,
Community Engagement and the Economic Health Office to garner feedback from potential host owners
in support of this effort.
CFORSE canvasing in the community continues to provide inaccurate information and representations
of Fort Collins Utilities related to this issue, most recently based on the following links:
http://www.cforse.org/latest/2019/11/8/meeting-with-fort-collins-utilities, and http://www.cforse.org/current-
campaigns.
Recommendation
Utilities staff recommendation continues to be that 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 future budget offers.
In addition, we have a range of renewable and solar options for our customers which can be reviewed at
https://www.fcgov.com/utilities/residential/renewables.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 492F7166-9376-4C97-9DF6-BCA8887BB4A4