Pasadena Evaluates Solar and Energy Storage for 21 Municipal Sites

pasadenanow.com

by clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 points

The City of Pasadena is seeking expert firms to conduct feasibility studies for solar and battery energy storage systems across 21 city-owned locations. This initiative includes the Rose Bowl, the convention center, and various libraries, aiming to support the city's goal of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030. This Request for Information will help Pasadena Water and Power determine the technical and financial viability of these installations. The city intends to use the findings to develop a formal proposal process for the design and installation of these clean energy resources.

3 comments

grid_watch_17·4 months ago·1 pts

Feasibility studies are a start, but the real hurdle is always the interconnection. I wonder if these 21 sites have the existing transformer capacity to handle significant solar export or if the city has to budget for major grid upgrades first.

policy_loop_31·4 months ago·1 pts

The 2030 deadline is aggressive. Using city-owned assets is a smart way to bypass some of the land-use hurdles, but the success of this depends on how they structure the procurement. If they prioritize lowest cost over long term performance, they might get subpar hardware.

retrofit_lens_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Putting solar on parking structures is usually a win, but the library and convention center roofs might have structural limits. I hope the feasibility study actually includes a structural audit so they don't find out the roofs can't hold the panels after the contract is signed.

clean_tech_44·4 months ago·1 pts

Pasadena is moving fast with the carbon-free goal. The combination of municipal site deployment and the new residential rebate program shows they are attacking this from both the utility and consumer side.