California jurisdictions are rapidly turning to solar power to offset their energy use and meet their long-term sustainability goals. Not only can solar provide significant financial savings and greenhouse gas reduction benefits, but it positions local governments as forward-thinking leaders. The SEED Fund Initiative, led by Optony and SEI, helps public agencies realize the benefits of solar with an easy and cost effective program to buy municipal solar as a region.
As the first round SEED Fund North Bay program comes to a successful close, the SEED Fund team is ramping up efforts to bring this model in a newly funded round to the next region in California! SEED Fund Monterey Bay Area will present a unique opportunity to empower public agencies in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties and allow them to participate in a group purchase of municipal solar PV.
How does SEED Fund work?
The SEED Fund helps agencies simplify the Request for Proposal (RFP) and evaluation process, lower administration costs by 50-70%, and aggregate purchasing power all with expert technical assistance by your side! The SEED Fund leverages state and regional funding to defer up-front costs of participation, essentially eliminating participation risks for the public sector. Public agencies only pay a small percentage back to the SEED Fund if it chooses to procure solar, which is used again to bring these services to another region.
Project Events
June 25, 2015 – Program Introduction (Program Introduction Presentation)
- Quick Program Overview
- Participation Status
- SEED Fund MOU (memorandum of understanding)
- Program Timing and Next Steps
July 16, 2015 – Solar Financing Structure Workshop (Solar Financing Workshop Presentation)
- SEED Fund Overview
- Solar Market Update
- Financing Options and Evaluation Process
- Making the Case
- Next Steps
August 19, 2015 – Technical Workshop (Technical Workshop Presentation)
- Overview of Technology and Installation Types
- Feasibility Assessments and Design Considerations
- Project Management and Commissioning
- Operations and Maintenance
- Next Steps
August 2016 – RFP #16P-1001 issued by Santa Cruz County
Monterey Bay SEED Program Timeline
Participants in the Monterey Bay Area SEED Program
Several agencies in the Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito Counties participated including:
- Cabrillo College
- North County Recreation and Park District
- City of Pacific Grove
- City of Soledad
- City of San Juan Bautista
- County of Santa Cruz
- City of Watsonville