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Consent-Community Services # 24.
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| Board of Supervisors |
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| Subject |
| Authorize Community Services Staff to prepare the SolSmart program application materials for submission and to work directly with The Solar Foundation and SolSmart representatives to pursue a SolSmart community designation for Yolo County. (No general fund impact) (Echiburu/Espinoza) |
| Recommended Action |
| Authorize Community Services Staff to prepare the Solsmart program application materials for submission, and to work directly with The Solar Foundation and SolSmart representatives to pursue a SolSmart community designation for Yolo County. |
| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
Sustainable Environment
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| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
In 2011 the Board of Supervisors approved the Yolo County Climate Action Plan. This plan included reduction of energy consumption and increasing on-site renewable energy generation to reduce the demand for grid energy, as measures to be pursued in Yolo County. In accordance with these measures, solar generation proves a viable energy source for affecting the Climate Action Plan performance. As a governmental entity with a community committed to fostering growth in the solar market per the Climate Action Plan, Yolo County has the opportunity to investigate and prepare an application for SolSmart designation.
The SolSmart national designation program is designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and otherwise foster growth of mature local solar markets. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative through the Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) funding opportunity. The SolSmart program primarily seeks to address solar "soft costs," or business process or administrative costs that can increase the time and money it takes to install a solar energy system.
The SolSmart designation program provides high-profile, national recognition for communities that have made it cheaper and easier for home and business owners to invest in solar energy. In addition, achieving the designation sends a signal to solar companies that the community is "open for business," which can attract new businesses and helps designees share in the economic development benefits attached to the solar industry.
Once the initial review of the application is completed, the County would receive SolSmart designation and/or would be eligible for technical assistance from The Solar Foundation staff to help the County meet the criteria for designation.
The intake application, provided as Attachment A, is very comprehensive and requires substantial verification documentation of all solar soft cost issues addressable by local governments. In the case of our County it will require interdepartmental collaboration for gathering of information to meet required criteria. Staff will work on application completion over the next several months with a goal of submission to the SolSmart program by February of 2017. |
| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
| SolSmart, U.S. Dept of Energy. |
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