Solar panels are being installed on City of Menlo Park-owned buildings

Editor’s note: Kendra Calvert, Public Engagement Officer for the City of Menlo Park emailed this clarification about home electrification on 9/26:

“It is important to note that Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) is installing solar at City-owned facilities through their GovPV solar and storage for public buildings program. PCE and their implementer, McMillan Electric, have managed the design, permitting and installation — all at no upfront cost to the City. The City has been an active partner throughout the process, in selecting sites and the City Council authorized the power purchase agreements that secure a favorable price for the electricity generated by the systems. These agreements make the installations possible by demonstrating to lenders that the upfront costs of installing solar will be paid back over time. This program, and direct-installation programs like it are hugely helpful in supporting the City’s Climate Action Plan and Environmental Justice goals to improve air quality and reduce emissions by reducing the project management burden and upfront costs that unlock the savings potential of an all-electric future paired with solar. The City is funding a similar effort for income-qualified residents in partnership with PCE through the Home Upgrade Program” (www.menlopark.gov/homeupgrade).”

Solar panels are being installed on City of Menlo Park-owned buildings

The City of Menlo Park is actively installing solar panels on various city-owned buildings as part of its Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These installations are made possible through partnerships with organizations like Peninsula Clean Energy.

Here’s a breakdown of recent solar panel installations:

Menlo Park Library (pictured above and below):
Solar panels started being installed June 17, with construction expected to take about eight weeks.

Arrillaga Gymnastics Center:
Installation is scheduled to begin August 25th, with a six-week construction timeline.

Other buildings:
The City has previously installed solar panels on the Arrillaga Gymnasium, City Corporation Yard, and Onetta Harris Community Center.

Future installations:
The City Council approved solar panel installations for the Belle Haven Child Development Center, Burgess Pool, City Hall, and Menlo Park Library.

These projects are aimed at reducing the city’s carbon footprint and achieving the goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. The city is also working on building electrification and has streamlined the permitting process for residential solar systems.

For questions regarding this project, contact publicworks@menlopark.gov or 650-330-6740.

Photos courtesy of Ole Agesen (c) 2015