REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Power Purchase Agreement with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. for Solar Arrays Installation (F18-175)
Report
REPORT IN BRIEF
Approval is requested for a Power Purchase Agreement with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. of Oakland, CA, for the installation of solar arrays at the SMaRT(r) Station and City Corporation Yard.
EXISTING POLICY
Pursuant to Section 2.08.040 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, contracts for this type of service are awarded pursuant to a Request for Proposals (RFP) best value process, unless otherwise exempt from the competitive bidding process. Additionally, City Council approval is required for the procurement of goods and/or services exceeding $100,000 in any one transaction.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed project is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines Section 15301(b) (Existing Facilities) and is also statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.35 (Rooftop and Shade Structure Solar).
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In 2014, the City contracted with Optony Inc., a global research and consulting firm specializing in solar projects, to conduct a study to install solar panels at City facilities that would offset the purchase of electricity from PG&E, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and align with the City's Energy Policy and adopted Climate Action Plan.
Assessments were conducted at 18 sites serving one or more of the City's enterprise utility services: Solid Waste, Wastewater, and Water. Of those sites, four sites were concluded to be feasible for installation of solar panels: The SMaRT Station, the Corporation Yard, Ortega Well (located at Ortega Park) and the Sanitary Lift Station located at Baylands Park.
On July 15, 2014 (RTC No. 14-0029) City Council was briefed on Study Issue ESD 13-01, "Power Purchase Agreements for Alternative Energy Allocation" and approved recommended actions for...
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