Sustainable Energy Project

The City of Vacaville is working to make Vacaville a more energy resilient and sustainable city. In support of this goal, the City has partnered with ENGIE North America to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and emergency backup generators across several facilities. In addition to these upgrades, the project will help plant more than 320 new trees and support workforce development opportunities. Energy cost reductions are expected to entirely pay for the project, while saving the City nearly $24 million dollars over the next 25 years.

Sustainable Energy Project Pillars, ENGIE, Solar PV, Tree Infusion, Energy Resiliency upgrade, energy, solar, workforce development,

Current Project Status

The project is currently in the design phase. The City anticipates construction activities to begin in the spring of 2025.

Solar PV Sites

Solar PV systems will be installed at eight City facilities:

The systems will be installed atop ground-mounted shade canopy structures with the exception of Fire Station 71, which features a roof-mounted PV system. City Hall will have both shade canopy structures in the parking lot and a secondary roof-mounted system.

Tree Infusion Plan

The project will infuse 321 new trees in the community through three measures:

Project Site Enhancements: 161 trees will be planted as space permits at Three Oaks Community Center, Ulatis Community Center, and Andrews Park/Georgie Duke Center.

Downtown Greening: 116 trees will be planted in Downtown Vacaville. The Vacaville Downtown Specific Plan (DTSP) has identified the need to add more trees within the area as a means to enhance the beauty and walkability of Downtown Vacaville.

Treebate Program: Utilizing the City’s existing Treebate Program, 44 trees will be made available to residents residing within one of the City’s identified Environmental Justice impacted community census tracts. Resident applicants will receive up to 80% of the costs of a new tree (receipt required), up to a maximum of $100 per tree (limit of two) to help beautify these residential areas and improve the health of the impacted communities.

Energy Resiliency Upgrades

Workforce Development Opportunities

The project includes a partnership with Solano Community College (SCC) to provide training and workforce development opportunities to its students. The program will provide opportunities for students to learn about green technology through hands-on projects, presentations, and paid internships. Partnership benefits include:

Paid intern positions with ENGIE
Class field trip to the project site
Guest speaker
Virtual Energy Expert Call Series
Teaching resources

The workforce development opportunities are available to SCC students across all of their campuses and are offered at no cost to SCC or its students.

Project Benefits
Environmental Information and Application of Government Code 4217
Resources

The City’s Sustainable Energy Project will provide substantial economic benefits and meet the City Council’s expressed goals of increased energy sustainability. Highlighted below is a short list of the identified project benefits:

The project will pay for itself and require no capital outlay from the City by generating electrical utility savings that will cover the tax-exempt lease purchase financing loan of $19,476,635 (net proceeds)
$23.9 million cumulative utility cost savings over 25 years with $7.0 million in the first 20-year financing term and $16.9 million in the following five years post agreement conclusion (year #20-25)
Takes advantage of $5.4 million in Federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding
Production Guarantee stipulating that not less than ninety percent (90%) of the expected energy output from each site will be produced every 12 months, if not ENGIE will owe the City a production shortfall penalty
Meets City’s General Plan goal of promoting a sustainable energy supply
Furthers the City’s efforts to achieve its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, as required by State legislation
Promotes a “green” revitalization of the Downtown and within City’s identified disadvantaged communities through the installation of hundreds of trees
Provides green technology workforce development, education, and experience through partnership with Solano Community College
Replaces three emergency generators at the end of their useful life

Vacaville, CA

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City of Vacaville

Sustainable Energy Project

Current Project Status

California Environmental Quality Act

Government Code 4217