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.\or@ <br />February 15,2022 <br />Mayor and City Council <br />Brian Dolan, Interim City Manager <br />TH E CITY OF <br />MEMORANDUM <br />il) <br />PLEASANTON" <br />Date: <br />To: <br />From: <br />Subject: <br />Ellen Clark, Director of Community Development <br />CAP 2.0 - Modification of Action P4 to address Solar Water Heaters <br />Some recent development applications (e.g.. the Spotorno Ranch development. PUD- l 38) have included <br />solar water heating systems in conjunction with photovoltaic (PV) panel installation. <br />Solar water heating systems can be a climate-conscious way to generate hot water for a home. While <br />they can also greatly reduce electricity or natural gas costs over time, they may have a larger upfront <br />investment. And, solar water heating systems can have variable efficiency when compared to a <br />traditional water heating system and often require a back-up system and/or well insulated storage tank <br />for nighttime use and days with little sun. When installed with a photovoltaic system, sizing of the solar <br />system and required storage tank space can be most effectively considered and planned for. so <br />considering the two concurrently is recommend. <br />As these systems are already being proposed in new development applications, staff recommends adding <br />notation to CAP 2.0 to encourage solar water heaters for ''covered projects" and consider the feasibility <br />of requiring solar water heaters to Action P4 (page 39). Given some of the factors noted above, it is <br />recommended that some additional feasibility analysis be completed as part of Action P4 <br />implementation. to fully analyze the differences between a traditional water heater and solar water <br />heater (e.g., cost-effectiveness/environmental benefits comparison) to determine if these should be a <br />mandatory or voluntary requirement of "covered projects." <br />Staff suggests modifuing Action P4 as follows: <br />Within the PMC Green Building chapter. the City will require "covered projects" to include solar <br />installation that meets the power needs of the new development if feasible. Where solar is being <br />installed, the covered projects will also be required to install energy storage systems (e.g., battery <br />storage). Additionally. the City will encouraqe solar water heaters for "covered projects" and consider <br />the feasibility of requiring solar water heaters within "covered projects."