CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE
AUGUST 26, 2025
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
MEETING
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Genette Foster
Jones. Jystin: HamDton. Tvron;
Reyes, David; Gao^Beilei; cityclerk
MSC 08.26.25 Item #3
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 9:43:06 AM
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To: Municipal Services Committee
PWP's commitment to new solar generation by private property owners and its willingness toincrease the size and capacity for new rooftop solar installations will help Pasadena achieve its goal of 50 to 100 MW of locally generated solar power by 2030.
To accommodate new household energy requirements, solar system sizing must allow up to 200% of customers' annual usage. A single Electric Vehicle adds about 3,000-4,200 kWh of annual demand which would increase power consumption by 50-70% for a household using500 kWh/month.
Proposed new requirements would add unnecessary cost and complexity to the solar application process. A customer affidavit demonstrating plans for electrification expansion within the next five years would be intimidating as well as needlessly vague and complex.
A second proposed requirement to install battery storage of equal or greater capacity to thesolar system would increase customer cost for solar by 50-100%. Instead of mandating battery storage with residential solar, PWP should continue to install utility-scale batteries.
December 31, 2025 is the new deadline to qualify for 30% federal tax credits on rooftop solar expenditures. With only four months left, PWP must act now to maximize credits and allow its customers to meet this deadline.
The Municipal Services Committee should recommend:
1. that PWP's solar application process be streamlined,
2. That no new requirements be added to the application process, and
3. That solar system size be increased to 200% of annual usage.
Sincerely,
Genette Foster CD2
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Donna Sider
Gao. Beilei
MSC Agenda item 3
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 10:09:44 AM
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Members,
As a solar owner since 2006,1 support Pasadena 100 and the growth of local solar as part ofour city plan to transition to 100% carbon free electric power by 2030.
Sincerely,
Donna Sider
D2
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heidrun murnoer-drumm
Kudos to PWP support of Rooftop solar and battery back-up Tuesday, August 26, 2025 10:43:51 AM
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Dear PWP -
I was so very pleased to read that Pasadena Water & Power understands the tremendous value of solar rooftopcapacity for the future of Pasadena. Citizens benefit from this clean source of energy, as does the State and Nation.In addition, PWP is doing its part in preventing climate changing pollution.
The PWP guidelines for capacity and battery back-up also has my support. On a personal note, my husband and Iwould not have been able to install a rooftop solar array if we had not been able to replace the entire old roof with asolar tile. Our roof replacement also produces electricity... enough to warrant investment in battery storage. Wepower our home when the sun shines, and we store energy for when it doesn't. Had PWP limited rooftop solar, wewould not have replaced our old roof with an energy producing roof.. .nor would we have swapped out our gasoline- powered cars for 2 EVs.
This is not the time to limit solar installations. This is the time to encourage homeowner investment in solar.
Best, Heidrun Mumper-Drumm
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Chad .Edwards
Residential Solar Installation Size Restriction
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 11:39:31 AM
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I am unable to attend today's City Council meeting where the MSC will address the issue of size restrictions on residential solar panel installations, but wanted to share my views on this important issue.
The prior policy of limiting size to 100% of the prior year of usage was very shortsighted and did not reflect the notion that solar installations would often be accompanied by significant electrification upgrades (e.g., EV cars, heat pumps, electric appliances) which would increase the electric power needs (while reducing fossil fuel use.) I am glad to hear that PWP has proposed increasing this to 150%. However, I would like to urge that that limit be further increased to a minimum of 170% or more, as full electrification within a household can easily exceed the 150% limit. In addition, it is in the City's interest to maximize rooftop solar resources, in the interest of achieving 100% carbon-tree electric power by 2030, a goal I strongly support.
Thank you for your consideration.
Chad Edwards
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Mishka Michon
Solar power!
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 12:38:53 PM
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I support the solar power program for Pasadena and the Pasadena 100 goal of 100% carbonfree by 2030. We need the city to support the effort to protect our environment before it's too late.
Mishka
Mishka JMichon
C)
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Date;
Rooftop solar
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 1:21:52 PM
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Hi,
Thank you for removing the restrictive limit on rooftop solar! I also support the extension ofthe 150% size battery requirement threshold to values at least 170%, because customer surplusgeneration of electricity is a benefit to the city system.
The growth of local solar can play a crucial role in our city's transition to 100% carbon free electric power by 2030.
Thanks,
Jillian Reed, Pasadena Resident
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Item # 3 Solar Capacity Allowable Limits for August 26 Meeting of Municipal Services Committee Monday, August 25, 2025 4:32:38 PM
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I contacted Gariel Caballero in the planning department to figure out how large a solar array 1 should tell my solarcontractor to submit for a permit. I was told the size would be based on previous usage. This is a nightmarescenario for me having made major investments changing to all electric power HVAC and vehicles only to be toldnow that the city won't approve systems higher than historical demand.
Subject: Solar System Size for 2390 Queensbei-ty Road
Hi Gabriel,
Thanks for taking my call today. 1 am tiying to install a solar array and battery back-up system to convert my energy use from gas to all electric. I attended the PWP open house recently to get advice on converting to solar. I was advised that my system size would be based on my usage now plus the added demand for electricity by convertingfrom gas to electric for central heating and from liquid fuel to electric charging for my vehicles. I was also in theprocess of ordering a replacement electric water heater when I contacted you to find out what size system I need totell my contractor to submit a permit request for.
Last year, we used 8194 KWH in electricity (April to April).
I just installed an all-electric heat pump HVAC system, replacing my gas furnace. Even if cooling use is the same insummer, estimates I have found online indicate that added electricity demand for heating my 2400 sq ft house this winter with a 4 ton unit could add 4000 KWH to my total annual demand.
We added 2 electric vehicles last year that I have been charging at work but will be charging at home once the solararray is installed (I was also hoping to retire soon). We have an all-electric 2023 Kona EV and a 2017 Prius Primeplug-in hybrid. Estimates for home charging vehicles runs from 3600 to 4000 KWH each/year.
Finally, I was in the process of placing an order for a new electric water heater. Online estimates suggest that this will add another 4000 KWH/year to my electric usage.
So, I could increase my 8194/year usage by nearly 16000KWH in the next year to just over 24000 KWH.How is a homeowner able go green if the rules don't allow for installation of a system that covers demand? I just spent almost $25K to install a new heat pump based on the input I received at the PWP open house. Now I amterrified that I won't be able to have enough solar to cover the added cost.
Seems to me that this should just be a math problem. Pasadena should want residents to install enough solar to cover demand. That is all I am looking for.
8.7KW 20 panel system proposal from Solar Optimum attached. We all just need to agree on how many panels andKW should get installed. Need your help getting there. Thanks.
Bob
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RZ Ullrich
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 1:26 PM
Gao, Beilei
Item # 3: Solar Installation Restrictions
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Please urge the PWP to stop limiting the amount of solar installations based on the prior year's usage. Rather urge PWP to base the amount of solar on the size and reasonable usage expectation based on the square footage of the buildings on each property, plus the electric vehicle(s) and appliances that use electricity.
It is not feasible to continue relying on imported power. Instead, Pasadena could and should become a supplier of renewable energy. It could be a very profitable endeavor for PWP, The City, and the environment in general.
We need to move forward to meet the strategic plan goal of 100% carbon free electric power by 2030.
Please encourage PWP to join the move into the future of renewable energy rather than supporting an unsustainable energy resource and to stop throwing roadblocks in the way of people wanting to install solar. Rather urge PWP to encourage and support them in a pursuit from which we will all benefit.
Respectfully,
Miranda Ullrich
1 Gao, Beilei
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Carl Selkin .
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 2:03 PM
cityclerk
Municipal Services Committee comment on Agenda item 3 (08/26/205) u
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To: Members of the Municipal Services Committee
From: CarlSelkin
Date:August 26, 2025
RE: Agenda item #3
I am writing in support of amending PMC 13.04.177to provide opportunities for PWP residential customers to increase their solar electricity generation capacity. ^WP consumers estimate necessary solar capacity based not only on present consumption but more importantly on their anticipation of increased need.
1. Current limits restrict our ability to plan for a future in which energy required for cooling will increase dramatically as daily temperatures rise, nighttime cooling decreases, and extraordinary heatwaves become ordinary.
2. It is impossible to predict future energy needs as electric appliances replace gas, the accelerating adoption of EVs to replace internal combustion engines, and additional energy for Al, etc. requires that residential customers offset those drains on the grid.
PWP should make permitting as automatic and easy as possible, and creative solutions for battery storage should be keyed less to arbitrary increases in generation capacity and more on residential customers' willingness to invest in storage that benefits all of Pasadena. During the current record- breaking heat, Brown-outs and warnings, once a regular occurrence, seem to have been rendered unnecessary due to already installed/accessed renewable energy.
Australia and other countries have liberated themselves from fossit-fueled electricity through well- planned distributed energy resources. In Pasadena, we lead the movement to the future in the U.S.A.
Let's continue to our goal of carbon free by 2030.
Respectfully submitted,
1 Carl Selkin (member of Pasadena 100 and co-chairof the SocialJustice Committee of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center)
asadena, Districts
2 Gao, Beilei
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Suzanne York
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 3:41 PM
Gao, Beilei
Solar
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Dear Members of the MS C,
I'm writing as a Pasadena resident who cares deeply about our city's transition to clean energy. The current solar size restriction has been frustrating for many in our community.
Tying solar system size to the past 12 months of electricity use has delayed projects, created unnecessary red tape, and made it harder for families to install the solar power they want and need.
I'm glad to see that PWP is proposing to drop this restrictive limit and is recognizing theme value of rooftop solar. Allowing systems up to 150% of past use is a step in the right direction, since many households are planning for electric vehicles and new electric appliances.
But as a community, we can and should aim higher. In reality, EV charging, heat pumps,induction cooking, and other upgrades can increase household demand well beyond 150%. A higher threshold—closer to 170%—would make sure families aren't forced to undersize their systems and then face more costs and delays later.
Excess solar power isn't a problem—it's a gift. It adds clean energy to the grid and buildsresilience for our city. While batteries are valuable, many residents can't afford them right now. If we make them a requirement for larger systems, we risk discouraging people who are otherwise ready to invest in solar.
I hope you'll support raising the threshold and making it easier for all Pasadena familiesto be part of the solution. Rooftop solar is not only good for individual households, it strengthens our community and brings us closer to a carbon-free future. 1 Thank you for listening and for your service to our city.
Sincerely,
Suzanne York
2