Title
License Agreement for 100 Mobile Solar Generators (Ordinance S-43811)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a revocable, non-exclusive license agreement with DC Solar Freedom for use of 100 mobile solar generators for a period of five years.
Report
Summary
Established in 2015, DC Solar Freedom manufactures mobile solar generators -- a transportable solar energy capture and storage device about the size of a typical utility trailer -- capable of providing a number of energy services including event lighting, electric vehicle charging, equipment charging and back-up power. Given the solar generators charge by solar energy, they provide clean and renewable power while operating noise-free.
Although staff are still determining the highest and best use of the trailers in City operations, an initial survey of departments identified a number of potential uses for lighting, fleet charging, events, and nighttime field operations.
The solar generators come in three configurations:
(1) As a light tower equipped with eight LED lights capable of lighting 1 to 2 acres for 20 hours.
(2) As an electric vehicle charging station capable of level 2 (220V) fast-charging.
(3) As a solar generator capable of providing continuous power for a number of applications from its eight 120V and 240V outlets.
An additional benefit of the mobile solar generators is that, in the event of a power outage, they can be moved and connected together as a power station to provide backup power to facilities and equipment.
The financial model for DC Solar Freedom, a benefit corporation, is different than that of a typical for-profit company. A benefit corporatation is a type of for-profit corporate entity, authorized by 30 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, that includes positive impact on society, workers, the community and the environment in addition to profit as its legally-defined goals. As such, DC Solar Freedom will cover the full cost of the mobile solar generator of $150,000 each through strategic partner lease arrangements with DC Solar Distribution, Inc., a major clean energy company, and specific businesses that make the socially responsible decision to underwrite the power. DC Solar Freedom will cover the rental cost of all units they produce at no charge to cities and university campuses. The mobile solar generators will bear the logo of DC Solar and its partners in accordance with City advertising standards.
Financial Impact
For contract purposes, the mobile solar generators will be licensed at a nominal cost of $1 per generator per year for a total of $500 for all 100 trailers over the five-year initial period of the license. The annual cost of $100 will be paid out of the Office of Sustainability's budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This item was recommended for City Council approval by the Sustainability, Housing, Efficiency and Neighborhoods Subcommittee on June 20, 2017, by a vote of 3-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters, the Public Works Department and the Office of Sustainability.