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C. 77

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Brian M. Balbas, Interim Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	December 19, 2017

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Execution of PG&E Interconnection Agreements for various Solar Photovoltaic Systems in the County

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/19/2017

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Frank DiMassa (925) 313-2188

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: December 19, 2017
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Interim Public Works Director, or designee, to execute PG&E Interconnection Agreements ("Agreements") for Net Energy Metering of Solar Electric Generating Facilities of 1,000 kW or less for solar photovoltaic systems to be installed at the following locations:
· 2530 ARNOLD DR, MARTINEZ

· 597 CENTER AVE, MARTINEZ

· 4549 DELTA FAIR BLVD, ANTIOCH

RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)

· 4545 DELTA FAIR BLVD, ANTIOCH
· 1000 WARD ST, MARTINEZ
· 50 DOUGLAS DR, MARTINEZ
· 30 MUIR RD, MARTINEZ
· 2935 PINOLE VALLEY RD, PINOLE
· 1305 MACDONALD AVE, RICHMOND
· 30 DOUGLAS DR, MARTINEZ
· 151 LINUS PAULING DR, HERCULES
· 4800 IMHOFF PLACE, MARTINEZ

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact.

BACKGROUND:

A very recent California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Decision (D.) 17-01-006 has created a unique opportunity to accelerate the development of Photovoltaic (PV) projects in Contra Costa County. The CPUC decision opened an eligibility window for local governments to secure ten years of Net Energy Metering (NEM 1.0) time-of-use (TOU) periods. TOU 1.0 rates are “solar-friendly” compared with the TOU 2.0 rates currently being submitted by California’s investor-owned utilities: Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and PG&E. The solar industry is estimating that TOU 1.0 has a twenty percent advantage over the impending TOU time periods which will push the expensive “peak” period back further into the afternoon in the 4 P.M to 9 P.M. range. Currently the peak period is during the more advantageous solar hours of noon to 6 P.M.

To secure the ten years of grandfathering, a local government must submit Interconnection Applications (IA's) to the utility PG&E by December 26th. Submitting the IA's does not obligate the County to build the solar facilities but it reserves the solar PV capacity at the preferred NEM 1.0 time-of-use periods should the County wish to pursue projects in the future. The list of facilities was reviewed internally by the Public Works Real Estate, Finance, and Facilities Divisions to assure that the buildings and properties were clear of potential future issues. The Interconnection Agreements obligate the County to idemnify PG&E for losses PG&E incurs as a result of the County's failure to provide insurance.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If the Interconnection Agreements are not submitted, the County loses an opportunity to secure potentially significantly advantageous electric utility rates associated with the installation of high value PV systems at County facilities and jeopardizes the County’s ability to meet Climate Action Plan 2020 goals for PV.