Mayor Garcetti Announces Completion of New Rooftop Solar Project

Project at the Port of Los Angeles Will Produce Enough Energy to Power 331 Homes in Its First Year

The project is part of the City of Los Angeles’ rooftop solar Feed-in Tariff (FiT) program, the largest of its kind in the nation. FiT enables building owners to host large-scale rooftop solar projects and sell the power they generate to LADWP for distribution on the city’s power grid. 

“L.A. is a global sustainability leader because we are committed to developing innovative ways of producing clean, renewable energy,” said Mayor Garcetti. “FiT helps us create solar power locally and gives Angelenos the tools to play an important role in making our City more sustainable and resilient.”

Hosted by Crafted at the Port of L.A. — a local handmade crafts market — the project brings the City closer to meeting several goals outlined in Mayor Garcetti’s Sustainable City pLAn, including the expansion of local solar resources. It also moves the Port of L.A. significantly closer to its own solar power goal. In its first year, the project will generate 2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to power approximately 331 homes and cut 1,880 tons of carbon emissions.

“I am thrilled that the Port of L.A. is moving another step closer to its commitment to provide 10MW of solar power on port property by 2020,” said Councilman Joe Buscaino, who represents the council district that includes the Port of Los Angeles and its surrounding communities. “The Port is the most appropriate place for the adoption of technological advances and should be the industry leader in green-tech. I am proud that the L.A. Waterfront is playing a significant role in guiding the City forward in its implementation.”

The solar installation will add power to the grid without any up-front capital cost to the City. A private retail energy supplier will own and operate the solar power system, and LADWP will purchase the electricity generated by the solar panels through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

“Feed-in Tariff programs like this one maximize the value of existing property by converting unused rooftops into commercial solar projects that feed the City’s grid,” LADWP General Manager Marcie Edwards said. “And what’s more, FiT projects create a financial incentive for developers to begin pursuing green energy solutions for their construction projects. At a pay rate of 14 cents per kilowatt hour, this is the most competitively priced Feed-in Tariff system built to date, providing nearly $300,000 in revenue per year to the project’s developers.”

The project is the result of a partnership led by the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC). LABC worked closely with the developer and the panel design company to facilitate the public-private collaboration and bring the project online efficiently.

“The LABC has fought hard for the success of local solar programs that benefit property owners, solar developers, and the community,” said Mary Leslie, President of the Los Angeles Business Council. “The installation at the Port of L.A. is a big win, and a step toward meeting Mayor Garcetti’s clean energy goals, while also stimulating economic development in our City. This is a proud moment for Angelenos, and a reflection of the success of the FiT program. We look forward to celebrating many more projects to come.”

To learn more about solar FiT projects in Los Angeles, visit www.ladwp.com.

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