Item:
Title
Authorize the County Manager to Execute an Interlocal Agreement with Central Pines Regional Council for $110,000 to continue the Low-Income Residential Solar Program
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: January 27, 2025
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve authorize the County Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement with Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC) to continue the Low-Income Residential Solar Program.
Durham County partnered with CPRC and the City of Durham to create a Low-Income Residential Solar Program in 2022 to cover the cost of solar power systems on homes for low-income residents. Staff has worked with Durham Community Land Trust and Rebuilding the Triangle Together to identify homes for the program, including rental properties designated for permanent low-income housing. So far, nine homes have received solar systems at no-cost and several more are awaiting final contracts. The systems are approximately 4kW in size and cost approximately $12,000 each. This interlocal agreement provides for CPRC to administer the funds and provide quality assurance for the installations.
The Board of Commissioners approved $110,000 in the FY25 budget; this ILA does not require allocating additional funding this fiscal year.
Installing solar power systems on low-income housing reduces monthly utility costs for the residents for the 25-year lifespan of the systems. This frees up funds for other necessities like food and medicine. This also reduces resident anxiety about using potentially life-saving air conditioning during extreme heat events, thus increasing resident resilience and improving health outcomes.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This item aligns with Durham County Strategic Goal: Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment.
Resource Persons: Tobin L. Freid, Sustainability Manager; Peri Manns, Deputy Director Engineering & Environmental Services; Jay Gibson, P.E., CFM, Director of Engineering & Environmental Services.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board authorize the County Manager to execute an Interlocal Agreement with Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC) to continue the Low-Income Residential Solar Program.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________