2018-30178 ResolutionRESOLUTION 2018 -30178
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING,
IN CONCEPT, SOLAR PURCHASING CO -OPS.
WHEREAS, solar energy allows citizens to move energy consumption to a more
environmentally friendly source and provides a self- sustaining, pollution -free form of
energy; and
WHEREAS, among South Florida homeowners, there is growing interest in
installing solar panels on homes, in reducing energy bills, in generating pollution -free
renewable energy, and in being resilient to storms; and
WHEREAS, elsewhere in Florida and in other parts of the country, neighborhood
solar purchasing co -ops have been created through entities such as Florida Solar
United Neighborhoods (FL SUN); and
WHEREAS, solar purchasing co -ops are voluntary groups that may buy solar
panels or other solar infrastructure in bulk for their members as a way to make solar
power more affordable and accessible to solar co -op members; and
WHEREAS, FL SUN is one of five regional programs run by the not- for - profit
organization, Community Power Network which educates Floridians about the benefits
of distributed solar energy, helping them to organize group solar installations; and
WHEREAS, FL SUN has established solar purchasing co -ops in Broward
County, Sarasota County, Orange County, St. Petersburg, and the Space Coast region;
and
WHEREAS, FL SUN is in the process of setting up several solar purchasing co-
ops in Miami -Dade County, and property owners who are interested in solar power may
benefit from being able to choose to be part of a solar co -op; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission wish to support, in concept, solar
purchasing co -ops which educate and assist homeowners with regard to solar energy
installations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby support, in conptssola,r. ;urchasing co -ops.
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Ra ael E. Grana.`o, C• Clerk
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APPROVED AS TO
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City Attorn
Date
MAM
BEACH
Resolutions - C7 S
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Raul J. Aguila, City Attorney
DATE: February 14, 2018
SUBJECT A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING, IN CONCEPT, SOLAR PURCHASING
CO -OPS.
RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to the request of Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, the above- referenced Resolution
is submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission at the February 14, 2018 City
Commission meeting.
Legislative Tracking
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Resolution
Page 810 of 1270
3/1/2018 Nonprofit Community Power Network becomes Solar United Neighbors and launches membership program
ORMAN
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Nonprofit Community Power Network becomes Solar
United Neighbors and launches membership program
By Kathie Zipp 1 October 4, 2017
Today marks Community Power Network's launch as Solar United Neighbors. This new name better reflects the
unified actions of nine state -based programs working together to build a new energy system with rooftop solar
as the cornerstone. Along with the new name, Solar United Neighbors has developed a paid membership
program that will help more people go solar and support their long -term needs in a way no existing organization
does.
"We envision a clean, equitable energy system that directs control and benefits back to local communities, with
solar on every roof and money in every pocket," said Anya Schoolman, Solar United Neighbors' Executive
Director, "Changing our name to Solar United Neighbors reflects our desire to help more people go solar and
build a nationwide force of solar supporters to fight for our energy rights."
Solar United Neighbors will lead the fight against monopoly utilities that are pushing against rooftop solar in an
attempt protect their outdated business model. Solar owners and prospective owners have in Solar United
Neighbors a vehicle to create a powerful constituency for solar.
The organization traces its roots to the first solar co -op in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
That group helped more than 40 homes go solar. Word of the co -op and its success spread quickly and soon
solar co -ops sprouted across the District.
Solar co -ops provide participants an opportunity to learn about solar technology and the process of going solar.
Co -op participants pool their bulk purchasing power to select one installer through an open, competitive bidding
process. Co -op participants compare each proposal and decide which is best for the group. This process
ensures co -op participants receive a quality installation at the best available price.
https:/ /www.solarpowerworldonline.com/ 2017/10/ nonprofit- community - power- network - becomes - solar- united - neighbors - launches - membership- program/ 1/10
3/1/2018 Nonprofit Community Power Network becomes Solar United Neighbors and launches membership program
through a dedicated help desk that will answer questions regarding their system's performance and receive help
to understand emerging technologies and new incentives. The cost of membership is $85 per year. Solar co -op
participants receive a complimentary membership throughout their co -op process.
Solar United Neighbors programs have helped more than 2,200 homes go solar, generating $40 million in solar
investment and saving co -op participants more than $8 million.
News item from Solar United Neighbors
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A . T THE AUTHOR
Kathie Zipp
Kathie Zipp is senior editor of Solar Power World,
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Tell Us What You Think!
https:/ /www.solarpowerworldonline,com/ 2017/10/ nonprofit- community - power- network- becomes - solar- united - neighbors - launches- membership- program/ 2/10
MIAMI BEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
Office of the City Clerk
Tel: 305-673-7411
March 2, 2018
Solar United Neighbors of Florida
Anya Schoolman, Executive Director
1115 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Dear Executive Director Schoolman,
Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2018- 30178:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING, IN CONCEPT, SOLAR
PURCHASING CO -OPS.
This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of
the City of Miami Beach on February 14, 2018.
Respectfully,
Rafael E. Granada
City Clerk
c: Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez