HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-014-16Community Services
Report
If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal
Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102.
Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: October 17, 2016
Report Number: CSD-014-16 Resolution:
File Number: N/A By-law Number:
Report Subject: Roof-Top Solar Projects – Feed-in-Tariff Program, Version 5.0
Recommendations:
1.That Report CSD-014-16 be received;
2.That Council indicate its support for the construction and operation of roof-top solar projects
anywhere in the Municipality by passing the resolution attached to this Report (Attachment
1);
3.That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a Roof-top Solar Panel Lease
Agreement for the three specific projects, provided such Agreement is acceptable to the
Municipal Solicitor; and
4.That Veridian Connections and Solera Sustainable Energies Company be advised of
Council’s decision.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CSD-014-16 Page 2
Report Overview
The Community Services Department is seeking approval to lease roof-top space for the
purposes of construction and operation of roof-top solar systems under the Province’s Feed-in-
Tariff (FIT) Program, Version 5.0.
1. Background
In Report CSD-009-15 (Attachment 2) Council granted approval for the Municipality to
enter into roof lease agreements with Veridian Connections Inc. and Solera Sustainable
Energies Company Ltd for roof-top solar projects at three recreation facilities, under the
Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) Program, Version 4.0. On October 5, 2015 Veridian submitted
applications to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) for the three roof-top
projects. We were advised in May 2016 that we were unsuccessful in obtaining contracts
for these projects.
Subsequent discussions with Veridian and Solera indicated that all FIT roof-top solar
contracts were awarded to applications with more Priority Points. As our projects were
located on municipal property, our applications were awarded 1 Priority Point each as a
“Municipal Site Host”.
Recently staff met with Veridian and Solera to discuss submitting the same three projects
for the FIT Program, Version 5.0. Although the rates being offered by the IESO for FIT
5.0 have decreased, the majority of the work necessary for the applications remains in
place and the roof leases still provide a financial benefit to the Municipality.
To facilitate the FIT application, staff is again recommending Council’s authorization to
enter into a lease agreement for the specific projects.
2. Project Details
Subject to Council agreeing to enter into roof-top leases, Veridian Connections and
Solera Sustainable Energies Company will be submitting to the IESO individual project
applications for the three roof-top solar systems. The window for accepting FIT
applications will open October 31, 2016 at 11:00 am and will close November 18, 2016 at
11:59 pm. It is their intention to have all required documentation ready to submit
immediately after the application window opens.
The Municipal Council Blanket Support Resolution that is being recommended in this
report indicates Council’s support for the construction and operation of roof-top solar
projects anywhere in the Municipality. The sole purpose of the municipal resolution is to
enable applicants to the FIT Program to receive Priority Points. The approval of a blanket
resolution would result in our three projects receiving two Priority Points. These points in
Municipality of Clarington
Report CSD-014-16 Page 3
addition to the Municipal Site Host point should greatly improve our chances at securing
FIT contracts. The blanket resolution will remain in effect for twelve months after Council
adoption and would be available for all other third party FIT Program roof-top solar
applications located in Clarington.
The three proposed projects are:
South Courtice Arena – 354 kWp solar array located on the roof of arena pad B.
Annual Roof Lease - $4,250.00
Newcastle & District Recreation Complex – 242 kWp solar arrays located on the roof of
both the swimming pool and the gymnasium.
Annual Roof Lease - $3,625.00
Bowmanville Indoor Soccer – 182 kWp solar array located on the roof of the indoor field.
Annual Roof Lease – $2,740.00
3. Financial Considerations
The proposed roof-top lease agreements will generate for the Municipality a total
revenue of $212,300.00 over the 20 year term of the lease. Additionally, at the end of the
20 year lease, the Municipality has the opportunity to retain the roof solar systems and
make modifications to redirect the power generated into the facility thus reducing
purchased hydro consumption at each location.
4. Other Considerations
Planning Services typically reviews requests for municipal resolutions for FIT Program
projects to determine their impact on surrounding residences and uses, natural heritage
features and other land use matters. To date they have received some inquiries for FIT
Program Version 5.0 from other third party applicants. Given the applications that have
been received for earlier FIT Program intakes, Planning Services has no concerns with
the blanket Council approval for roof-top solar projects.
5. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed by Andrew Allison, Municipal Solicitor, David Crome,
Director of Planning Services and Nancy Taylor, Director of Finance who concur with the
recommendations.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CSD-014-16 Page 4
6. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that the necessary recommendations be approved and
that staff provide all necessary documentation to Veridian Connections for the FIT
applications. As indicated in the report the Municipal Council Support Resolution will be
required to move forward with these FIT Program applications.
7. Strategic Plan Application
The recommendations contained in this report conform to the Strategic Plan.
Submitted by: Reviewed by:
Joseph P. Caruana, Curry Clifford, MPA, CMO
Director of Community Services Interim CAO
Staff Contact: George Acorn, Manager of Facilities, 905-623-3379 ext. 2503
or gacorn@clarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Municipal Council Support Resolution
Attachment 2 – Report CSD-009-15
The following is a list of interested parties to be notified of Council’s decision:
Mark Turney, Vice President – Operations, Veridian Connections
Leonard Allen, President, Solera Sustainable Energies Company Ltd.
JPC/GA/WG
Attachment 1 to
Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-014-16
Resolution number: _____________________ FIT Reference Number: ____________
Date resolution was passed: October 17, 2016
WHEREAS capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in
the FIT Rules, Version 5.0.
AND WHEREAS the Province’s FIT Program encourages the construction and
operation of Rooftop Solar generation projects (the “Projects”);
AND WHEREAS one or more projects may be constructed and operated in the
Municipality of Clarington;
AND WHEREAS pursuant to the FIT Rules, Version 5.0, Applications whose projects
receive the formal support of Local Municipalities will be awarded Priority Points, which
may result in the Applicant being offered a FIT Contract prior to other Persons applying
for FIT Contracts;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Municipality of Clarington
supports the construction and operation of the Projects anywhere in the Municipality of
Clarington.
This resolution’s sole purpose is to enable the participants in the FIT Program to receive
Priority Points under the FIT Program and may not be used for the purpose of any other
form of municipal approval in relation to the Application or Projects, or for any other
purpose.
This resolution shall expire twelve (12) months after its adoption by Council.
Signed: _________________________ Signed: ____________________________
Title: ___Mayor Adrian Foster______ Title: __Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk
Date: ___October 17, 2016_________ Date: __October 17, 2016____________
Staff Report #1
clkwington
Community Services
Report
If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal
Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102.
Report To: Council
Date of Meeting: June 29, 2015
Report Number: CSD-009-15 Resolution:
File Number: N/A By-law Number:
Report Subject: Roof-Top Solar PV Installations
Recommendations:
1. That Report CSD-009-15 be received;
2. That Council indicate its support for the construction and operation for the three specific
projects described in this Report by passing the resolution attached to this Report
Attachment 1);
3. That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a Roof-top Solar Panel Lease
Agreement for the three specific projects, provided such Agreement is acceptable to the
Municipal Solicitor; and
4. That Veridian Connections and Solera Sustainable Energies Company be advised of
Council's decision.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CSD-009-15 Page 2
Report Overview
The Community Services Department is seeking approval to lease roof-top space for the
purposes of construction and operation of roof-top solar systems.
1 . Background
In Report CSD-011-14 staff identified that the Province of Ontario's Green Energy Act
has provided municipalities with a better understanding of their energy consumption,
greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy opportunities. As a shareholder in
Veridian Connections, the Municipality has ongoing discussions on a variety of related
programs.
As part of these discussions, Veridian approached the Municipality seeking Clarington's
intent to partner in a project that would see roof-mounted solar panels installed on
various municipal facilities through the former Ontario Power Authority (OPA) Feed-in-
Tariff (FIT) program, now administered by the Independent Electricity System Operator
IESO.)
On June 30, 2014 Council resolved "That staff be authorized to negotiate with Veridian
Connections and their partner Solera Sustainable Energies Company."
Subsequently, structural investigations were completed on all municipal recreation
facilities and it was determined that the Newcastle & District Recreation Complex,
Bowmanville Indoor Soccer and South Courtice Arena were suitable to host these
projects.
To facilitate the FIT application, staff is recommending Council's authorization to enter
into a lease agreement for the specific facilities.
2. Project Details
Subject to Council agreeing to enter into roof-top leases, Veridian Connections and
Solera Sustainable Energies Company will be submitting to the IESO individual project
applications for the three roof-top solar systems. Although not confirmed at this time, it is
anticipated that the window for accepting FIT applications will open in early July for a two
to three week time period. As the opportunity to apply is very short and the applications
are time stamped when received it is their intention to have all required documentation
ready to submit immediately after the application window opens.
The three proposed projects are:
South Courtice Arena — 340 kWp solar array located on the roof of arena pad B.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CSD-009-15 Page 3
Newcastle & District Recreation Complex — 233 kWp solar arrays located on the roof of
both the swimming pool and the gymnasium.
Bowmanville Indoor Soccer— 175 kWp solar array located on the roof of the indoor field.
3. Financial Considerations
The proposed roof-top lease agreement will generate for the Municipality a minimum
total revenue of$300,000.00 over the twenty year term of the lease.
4. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed by Andrew Allison, Municipal Solicitor and Nancy Taylor,
Director of Finance who concur with the recommendations.
5. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that the necessary recommendations be approved and
that staff provide all necessary documentation to Veridian Connections for the FIT
applications.
6. Strategic Plan Application
The recommendations contained in this report conform to the Strategic Plan.
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Submitted by: Reviewed by:l
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bseph P. Caruana, Franklin Wu,
Director of Community Services Chief Administrative Officer
Staff Contact: George Acorn, Manager of Facilities, 905-623-3379 ext. 2503 or
gacorn(c clarington.net
JPC/GAM/G
Attachment 1 to
Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-009-15
Resolution number: FIT Reference Number:
Date resolution was passed: June 29, 2015
WHEREAS capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in
the FIT Rules, Version 4. 0.
WHEREAS Veridian Connections and Solera Sustainable Energies Company (the
applicants"), propose to construct and operate Roof-top Solar Projects on 1595
Prestonvale Road, 1780 Rudell Road and 2375 Baseline Road (the "Lands") in the
Municipality of Clarington under the province's FIT Program;
AND WHEREAS that applicants have requested that Council of The Municipality of
Clarington indicate by resolution Council's support for the construction and operation of
the Projects on the Property.
AND WHEREAS pursuant to the FIT Rules, Version 4.0, Applications whose Projects
receive the formal support of Local Municipalities will be awarded Priority Points, which
may result in the Applicants being offered a FIT Contract prior to other Persons applying
for FIT Contracts;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Municipality of Clarington
supports the construction and operation of the Projects on the Lands.
This resolution's sole purpose is to enable the Applicants to receive Priority Points
under the FIT Program and may not be used for the purpose of any other form of
municipal approval in relation to the Applications or Projects or for any other purpose.
Signed: Signed:
Title: Mayor Adrian Foster Title:Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk
Date; June 29 2015 Date:June 29 2015