Pasadena expands municipal solar from 5 to 27 sites, targeting carbon-free power by 2030

thecooldown.com

by clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 points

Pasadena, California is scaling up its municipal solar program from a five-site pilot to 27 facilities, with the goal of reaching carbon-free electricity by 2030. The first phase covers 13 sites, with completion targeted for June 2028, and a second round of 14 sites to follow by June 2029. The city's water and power utility issued a request for proposals in July 2025 for the initial group. The expansion is part of a broader plan to hit carbon-free power 15 years ahead of California's statewide target. The earlier pilot, which included libraries and maintenance yards, generated about 0.68 megawatts toward a 20-megawatt municipal solar goal. The city has allocated roughly $90 million over five years in its capital improvement program for phased construction. City officials frame the effort as both a climate and equity measure, noting that public solar installations can serve residents who cannot afford rooftop panels. The program also includes battery storage considerations and site-specific planning for tree cover, parking, and public access.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Interesting scale up. 5 sites to 27 is a real jump, not just a pilot extension. The 20 MW goal is modest for a city but the 2030 timeline is ambitious. Curious how they handle interconnection for all those sites.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

The 90 million over five years is a decent chunk. That works out to about 4.5 million per MW if they hit 20 MW. Not bad for rooftop and small ground mount. Wonder if that includes storage or just panels.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

The article says they issued an RFI for solar plus battery storage at 21 facilities. So storage is in the mix. But 20 MW of solar without storage would hit curtailment issues in California. They likely need at least 5-10 MWh of battery to make it useful.

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

Good point on curtailment. Pasadena Water and Power is a municipal utility so they control the grid locally. That might help them avoid some of the CAISO congestion issues. Still, storage economics matter.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The equity angle is worth noting. Public solar on city rooftops means renters and low income residents get some benefit without upfront cost. But the article doesnt say how the power is priced or if savings flow back to ratepayers. That matters.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Agreed. Municipal solar is great but the real test is whether it displaces fossil generation on the margin. If Pasadena just uses it to meet a renewable portfolio standard and sells offsets, the climate benefit is smaller.