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8 <br />CE-IT2S2: Expand solar and <br />3 <br />The City currently has 1178 kW of solar capacity online to use at the City's <br />Explore and compare opportunities <br />renewable energy purchases <br />municipal facilities, with another 1000 kW purchased that is not yet functional. <br />to make a plan to transition the <br />for City buildings <br />When that solar array comes online the end of 2018 the resulting 2.178 MW <br />will enable the City to cover over 50% of its municipal electric demand with <br />renewable energy. <br />remaining 50% of municipal <br />facilities' energy needs to <br />renewable sources. <br />The City is in the beginning stages of exploring the possibility of further <br />alternative energy purchases. Until the most recent purchases come online <br />and we can determine what eligible metered electricity we have left, it is not <br />possible to make a useful comparison between available renewable avenues <br />for the remainder of the City's energy needs. <br />Going forward, the City has several potential options to offset its remaining <br />energy needs to renewable sources: <br />1) Solar garden in Louisville for municipal / residential use: Early conversations <br />with a nonprofit solar garden company would not only offer the City <br />another opportunity to further offset its own energy load, but would also <br />allow low income residents an opportunity to participate in solar credits at <br />a significantly reduced monthly energy cost. The challenges are: <br />availability of city land, length of time to develop, ROI after staff time and <br />current market conditions are considered. <br />2) Solar garden offsite for municipal use only: Early conversations with a for- <br />profit company indicates that solar capacity would be available within 12 <br />months, should the City wish to make an agreement for another <br />agreement similar to the current Power Purchase Agreements in place. <br />The challenge is ROI after staff time and current market conditions are <br />considered, as well as the availability of eligible energy streams. <br />3) Wind power: Considering the City has already offloaded its peak energy <br />use to solar (soon to be up to 50%), it may be as or more cost effective to <br />elect wind source for some or all of the remaining facility energy needs. <br />This would allow the City to quickly transition the rest of its energy source <br />to renewables. While it would cost a little more per watt than what the <br />City currently pays, it may have a long-term ROI comparable to the solar <br />agreements without utilizing and stretching staff resources. <br />4) Upcoming Solar Rewards Program through Xcel: Xcel is preparing to roll out <br />a large solar campaign for residential and commercial (separately) in 2018. <br />DRAFT <br />13 <br />15 <br />