Posting Language
Title
Approve issuance of a capacity-based incentive to Westminster Presbyterian for the installation of solar electric systems on their facility located at 3208 Exposition Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78703, in an amount not to exceed $82,215.
De
Lead Department
Austin Energy
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $82,215 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Energy Operating Budget.
For More Information:
Amy Everhart, Director Local Government Issues (512) 322-6087; Tim Harvey, Customer Renewable Solutions Manager (512) 482-5386.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
November 13, 2023- Recommended by the Electric Utility Commission on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Alvarez, Blackburn, and Seibert absent and one vacancy.
November 14, 2023 - Recommended by the Resource Management Commission on a 6-0 vote with Commissioners Bren, Davis, Johnson, and Stone absent and one vacancy.
Additional Backup Information:
Austin Energy requests approval to issue this Capacity Based Incentive (CBI) to Westminster Presbyterian (the Customer) for the installation of solar electric system(s), detailed in the table below at their facility to produce renewable energy for on-site consumption. The table below provides a summary of the system size, cost, proposed incentive, and environmental benefits.
|
Solar System Details* |
|
Total System Size (kW-DC) |
82 |
|
Total System Size (kW-AC) |
68 |
|
Annual Estimated Production (kWh) |
116,753 |
|
Total System Cost ($) |
$208,003.95 |
|
Total Incentive ($) |
$82,215 |
|
Percent of Cost Covered |
40% |
|
Environmental Benefits** and Emission Reduction Equivalencies*** |
|
Reduction of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in tons |
55 |
|
Reduction of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) in pounds |
82 |
|
Reduction of Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) in pounds |
82 |
|
Equivalency of Vehicle Miles Driven |
127,909 |
|
Equivalency of Cars on Austin Roadways |
11.1 |
|
Equivalency of Trees Planted |
825 |
|
Equivalency of Forest Acreage Added |
59.5 |
*All solar equipment meets Austin Energy program requirements.
** Environmental Benefits based on the ’US Energy Information Associations state-wide electricity profile <https://www.eia.gov/electricity/state/texas/>
*** According to the Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator <https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator>
Westminster Presbyterian is a multi-generational congregation for the neighborhood as well as many other parts of the Austin community. This proposed system will offset 69% of the interconnected meters’ historic annual energy consumptions.
According to the updated Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, approved by City Council in March 2020, “Austin Energy will achieve a total of 375 MW of local solar capacity by the end of 2030, of which 200 MW will be customer-sited (when including both in-front-of-meter and behind-the meter installations).” In order to meet these goals, Austin Energy has funded the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Programs, which are designed to reduce the amount of electricity Austin Energy must purchase from the market and reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions.
The purpose of the Austin Energy Solar PV CBI Program is to expand adoption of solar by nonprofit organizations by helping to offset the capital investment for customers who are unable to benefit from the federal tax credit. Under this program, customers who qualify as nonprofit entities are eligible to receive $0.90/W-DC up to $433,800. Per program guidelines, the installation is expected to continue producing for a minimum of 20 years or may be subject to repay the incentive at a pro-rated amount if it stops producing for any reason short of the stated minimum.
This project will advance the stated goals of expanding locally-sited solar, carbon reduction and resiliency, extend the adoption of solar to entities historically excluded from the investment benefits of solar, and continue to demonstrate the value and importance of renewables as part of the individual and collective generation portfolio in Austin Energy territory.