Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: July 19, 2024
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Carrie Black, Chief Sustainability and Resilience Officer
CONTACT: Carrie Black
PHONE: (407) 836-7389
DIVISION: County Administrator’s Office
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval and execution of Orange County, Florida and Solar United Neighbors FY2024 Grant Agreement in the amount of $15,000. All Districts.
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PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE: Orange County Government and the City of Orlando continue to collaborate to make installed, customer-owned solar energy easily accessible and to ensure that residents continue to be educated about the benefits. Since 2015, over 500 solar installations totaling more than 5.3 MW of residential solar capacity have been installed, creating 122 jobs, $12.3 million in local investment, and eliminating 72,787 metric tons of CO2e in Orange County because of a partnership with Solar United Neighbors, Inc. (SUN) and the solar co-ops made available to all residents of Orange County. The co-op process is engaging and collaborative and has successfully educated thousands of residents and consumers about solar energy basics through virtual and in-person classes. Orange County Government funded the first solar co-op in 2016 and has collaborated over the last seven years with the City of Orlando to ensure these solar co-ops have been available to all residents of Orange County.
The FY24 budget approved by the Board included $15,000 for the Environmental Protection Division to fund the 2024 Orange County agreement with SUN. Different from previous years, this funding agreement contains expanded educational and consumer protection services to help residents and businesses review and consider the many opportunities available to “go solar.” The agreement also contains a strong commitment to consumer protection information and resources to help residents answer any solar-related question, including reviewing contractor agreements, calculating the return on investment, interfacing with utility companies, and troubleshooting issues.
The goal of this year’s agreement is to help Orange County residents become solar savvy with the capability to assess and fact-check all types of marketing materials, evaluate offers, converse with sales teams and contractors, and be able to confidently put their resources towards solar systems that benefit them and ultimately the quality of life for all.
BUDGET: N/A