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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.1 Item STUDY FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM 3.1 TO: Finance Committee March 18, 2025 SUBJECT: Consider authorizing contract with Optony Solar Services for relocation of Existing Solar Array from 510 to 500 La Gonda Way BACKGROUND In 2012, the Town entered into an agreement with Solar City Corporation for the installation of a solar array at 510 La Gonda Way. Solar City was subsequently purchased by Tesla. The Town used the firm Optony Solar Services as our consultant. The Town’s acquisition of the property at 500 La Gonda means that the solar array must be relocated prior to redevelopment of 510 La Gonda. As part of the evaluation of 500 La Gonda, Optony provided a preliminary review to Town staff of the feasibility of relocating the array and issues that would need to be addressed. DISCUSSION As the Town now prepares to dispose of 510 La Gonda for residential development, it is necessary to conduct a more detailed analysis of the solar relocation. Given their expertise in the field and their previous work with the Town, Town staff recommends retaining Optony to assist in this process. The attached scope of work lists the tasks to be completed, with a cost not to exceed $35, 175. The contract would be funded from CIP Project No. B-639, Town Office Parking Lot Expansion and Solar Relocation. RECOMMENDATION Authorize the Town Manager to execute a contract with Optony Solar Services in the amount of $35,175. Prepared by: Robert B. Ewing City Attorney Attachment: Optony Scope of Work Optony Inc. Silicon Valley | Colorado | New York A Proposal for: Town of Danville Solar Re-powering and Re-location Development Plan Presented by: Jonathan Whelan Director of Operations, Optony Inc. Jonathan.Whelan@OptonyUSA.com 5201 Great America Pkwy, Suite 320 Santa Clara, CA 95054 www.OptonyUSA.com Optony Inc. Silicon Valley | Colorado | New York Page | 1 COVER LETTER Friday, February 14, 2025 Attention: Rob Ewing, City Attorney Town of Danville, California Re: Solar Project Support for Town Hall Dear Rob, Optony is excited to offer support for the Town of Danville in its solar relocation project, we are proud to share our experience, team, and solar subject matter expertise to ensure success in this Task: Task 1. Develop plan for existing solar re-powering and re-location Not to exceed price: $35,175 (assuming 6 months of support) After reviewing the attached following information on Optony’s qualifications and proposal, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss next steps and how we can tailor our services to meet your needs. Sincerely, Jonathan Whelan Jonathan Whelan VP-Onsite Energy Programs Optony Inc. (415) 450-7032 jonathan.whelan@optonyusa.com Optony Inc. Silicon Valley | Colorado | New York Page | 2 TO: Rob Ewing, Town of Danville FROM: Jonathan Whelan, Optony Inc. DATE: February 14, 2025 RE: Proposal for development of solar re-powering and re-location plan Optony was invited to provide a quote to support the Town of Danville with requested solar project support services and energy analysis consulting. The enclosed scope and budget details Optony’s proposed approach to providing as-needed consulting services including: solar contract review and management, outreach to the current PPA owner, solar buyout analysis, facility energy planning for new solar installation, and solar performance auditing, etc. DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK TASK 1. Develop plan for existing solar re-powering and re-location 1.1 Coordinate with Tesla to develop approach and timeline for expediting re-powering of existing PV system 1.2 Review Tesla contract to determine possible solutions and remedies for getting system re-powered and re-located 1.3 Review monitoring data to determine if any existing performance guarantees need to be claimed 1.4 Determine contractual options available as paths forward for system removal 1.5 Provide RFQ/P language to guide housing developers to understand and help plan for existing solar 1.6 Review Town Hall electrical bills to determine solar energy needs 1.7 Develop preliminary solar layouts for new installation at 500 La Gonda Way 1.8 Support Town in determining best approach for re-location design and construction 1.9 Summarize potential costs and benefits of termination and re-location options This Scope shall be completed by 08/31/2025 DELIVERABLES 1. Reports, presentations, spreadsheets, etc. (as determined) Exclusions: In-person site inspections, in-person meetings, travel. PROJECT BUDGET The key liaison will be Jonathan Whelan, VP of Onsite Energy, supported by other Optony staff at the rates given below. All tasks can be provided on a time and materials, Not-to-Exceed basis as follows: Optony Inc. Silicon Valley | Colorado | New York Page | 3 TASK ESTIMATED HOURS BY TASK NOT TO EXCEED BUDGET BY TASK HOURLY RATES Task 1. Develop plan for existing solar re-powering and re- location 160 $35,175 Officer-in-Charge........... $325 VP of Onsite Energy....... $225 Analytics Lead................ $190 Asst. Prog. Coordinator................... $180 Total 160 $35,175 Optony Inc. Silicon Valley | Colorado | New York ABOUT OPTONY Optony’s mission is to enable governments, commercial organizations, educational institutions, and investors to bridge the gap between clean energy goals and real-world results. Optony is an award-winning global research and consulting firm based in Silicon Valley that was founded in 2007 with support from the U.S. Department of Energy. Our core services offer a systematic approach to planning, implementing, and managing government, commercial and utility-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, while simultaneously navigating the dramatic and rapid changes in the clean technology industry. With headquarters in Silicon Valley and regional offices in Colorado and New York we serve clients across the USA. Due to our expertise and market-leading projects, the company was recognized by the Silicon Valley Business Journal as one of the very best energy service companies in the region and our projects have won awards from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Acterra Business Environment Awards, and the Governor of California. Our team is squarely focused on moving the clean energy market forward for our clients and has had a major impact over the past 18 years, by providing independent technical expertise to more than 500 clients around the U.S. Optony is the only company to have successful experience supporting large-scale collaborative multi- organization solar project efforts and is the co-author of the authoritative guide “Purchasing Power: Best Practices for Collaborative Solar Procurement”. OPTONY APPROACH At Optony, we recognize that long-term planning and execution of clean energy projects is complex and can have uncertain results. Optony provides its clients with expert, independent services across the entire project lifecycle by applying deep technical expertise and broad project experience to reduce risks and achieve the greatest possible returns. We deliver results by consistently using the following approach: • Stakeholder Engagement. Involving all project stakeholders to build support and momentum – including government officials and staff, policy makers, planners, facilities managers, residents, industry, utilities, finance partners, non-profits, and others as needed. • Technology Expertise. Providing deep technology and system design expertise to evaluate and determine the best-fit options with highest lifetime performance. • Hands-on Staff Coaching. Assisting client staff with tailored and highly responsive hands-on support as they plan and pursue project objectives and complete tasks. Optony Inc. Silicon Valley | Colorado | New York Page | 5 • Project Risk Mitigation. Identifying hidden project risks and opportunities and providing real-world guidance on how to maximize the benefits from each initiative. • World-Class Resources. Deploying world-class resources and clean energy industry best practices to enable expert planning and ensure smooth transitions across project phases. • Market-Leading Analysis. Providing clear and meaningful analysis and recommendations with external benchmarks for cost and performance that may not be readily available or transparent. Prioritizing project opportunities for both the short-term and long-term. • Targeted Communications. Providing highly relevant talking points, images, and statistics to build and maintain support for projects locally, regionally and nationally. Conducting training and resources to build client knowledge and understanding about project progress. Optony has a proven track record of providing local, regional and national-scale project and program management for clients in 20 states with a particular focus on those areas that are traditionally under-served and under- resourced. We believe that there are outstanding opportunities to make progress toward a greener and more prosperous future, but information and support is needed to apply best practices and successful models to capture the opportunity. Optony Inc. Silicon Valley | Colorado | New York Page | 6 OUR SERVICES Our experience across all phases of clean energy projects provides significant advantages by helping to avoid foreseeable issues and shorten time to completion. Optony provides a suite of lifecycle services to help minimize project risk and deliver maximum returns in terms of payback and performance: 1. Clean Energy Strategy Planning & Implementation We develop an integrated strategy to intelligently incorporate clean energy into your overall sustainability plans, looking across all potential opportunities. Optony’s Solar Roadmap® and Clean Energy Roadmap™ platforms provide a comprehensive approach to transforming local and regional markets through national benchmarking, tailored implementation roadmaps and expert technical assistance. Tap into the network of over 200 participating organizations that are making great progress in improving processes, decreasing costs and increasing deployment of clean energy solutions. 2. Investment-Grade Feasibility Studies Optony conducts independent, comprehensive assessments to determine the optimal clean energy potential for your organization and portfolio of locations based on site-specific energy demand, utility rates, facility characteristics, financing options, regulatory requirements and marketing needs. 3. Independent Engineering Reviews Clean energy projects are subject to dynamic changes in pricing, incentives, technology, forecasts and industry best practices, requiring an Independent Engineering Review to minimize risks and deliver maximum economic returns to investors and owners. This service reduces discrepancies in proposed system designs, components, and construction to improve lifetime performance. 4. Procurement Management We take the lead in managing your RFP/RFQ process from requirements gathering, solicitation writing, evaluation criteria, and bid solicitation to vendor evaluations, interviews, and contract negotiations based on the latest industry trends and best practices, tailored to your specific situation. 5. Project Commissioning Our service improves project coordination, technology integration, installation, and compliance to best practices. Leverage our expertise and professional resources with thorough on-site project inspection and performance certification to lower operating costs and risks associated with design and implementation, yielding the best return from your investment. 6. System Optimization We provide retro-commissioning for in-service systems and analyze on-line system monitoring to determine cleaning, repair, modification and replacement strategies needed to ensure optimal performance. We also provide direct follow-ups with manufacturers, installers, utilities and financing companies in the event that actions are required on their parts to improve system output. 7. Power Purchase Agreement Tracker Optony’s PPA Tracker® is the only comprehensive solution for buyers of Power Purchase Agreements to understand actual performance relative to contracts and financial forecasts. This solution empowers buyers by combining leading edge tools with deep expertise to unwind complex performance drivers, quantify their impact, mitigate issues and refine forecasts.