Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation Project

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS DESIGN AND INSTALLATION PROJECT

The City Council approved the Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation (PV) project as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 24-25 budget. Applications for Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 interconnection were successfully submitted to PG&E for five facilities in Cupertino. In December 2024, City Council approved proceeding to Design and Construction for the three sites listed below:

  • Community Hall
  • Quinlan Community Center
  • Cupertino Sports Center

The NEM program, overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission, offers utility bill credits for excess clean energy generated on-site over a 20-year period. In 2023, PG&E announced a reduction in rates for electricity generated by PV systems (NEM 3) but allowed for grandfathering the more favorable NEM 2.0 rates, provided that interconnection applications were submitted and systems became operational by 2026.

To qualify for NEM 2.0 incentives, projects must be completed by April 15, 2026. NEM 2.0 offers 75-80% more compensation for electricity fed back into the grid, compared to the current NEM 3 rates. The anticipated savings in utility costs are estimated at $500,000 annually, totally $26.5 million over a 30-year period.

The project team prepared a Conceptual Design Report that includes technical and cost analysis data for each site.The Conceptual Design/Bridging Documents PDF is linked below, in the "Project Documents" tab.

Questions regarding the project can be directed to Susan Michael, CIP Manager, at SusanM@cupertino.gov.

Project Updates

02/05/2026

Construction has resumed on the City’s Photovoltaics Project. As part of the installation of new solar carports at the Quinlan Community Center (Alves parking lot) and the Cupertino Sports Center, power must be extended to the new carport areas. This work requires temporary, full electrical shutdowns at each facility. The project team requested dates from PG&E (2/10 and 2/17) but were notified today that those dates do not work for PG&E. We are working on rescheduling and will post the new dates once they are confirmed.

Planned Electrical Shutdowns (Pending PG&E Confirmation)

The City has requested the shutdown dates and times from PG&E and is awaiting confirmation.

  • Cupertino Sports Center: Date TBD, beginning at 7:00 PM
    Due to the timing of this shutdown, the Sports Center will close earlier than usual (6:30pm) to allow work to be completed before reopening to the public the following morning.
  • Quinlan Community Center: Date and Time TBD

The selected dates and times are intended to minimize impacts to facility operations. Once PG&E confirms the shutdowns, this page will be updated, and additional notices will be posted at each facility.

Cupertino Community Hall Electrical Shutdown

A separate electrical shutdown at Community Hall is also required but does not involve PG&E. This shutdown has been confirmed for Wednesday, March 4, beginning at 1:00 PM. Community Hall will not be in use during this time.

We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as it advances this renewable energy project.

 

01/27/26

Phase 2 Construction Mobilization for PV Carport at Cupertino Sports Center & Quinlan Community Center

The City of Cupertino has initiated Phase 2 of construction for the Photovoltaic (PV) Carport component of the Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation Project. This phase includes mobilization for structural and electrical work at the Cupertino Sports Center and Quinlan Community Center - Alves parking areas.

Phase 2 activities will involve on-site staging, equipment setup, and preparatory construction work required to support the installation of the PV carport structures and associated electrical systems. As part of the mobilization effort, portions of the parking lots at both facilities will be temporarily unavailable to vehicles. Signage and barricades will be installed to guide motorists and patrons around impacted areas.

Phase 2 Schedule & Parking Impacts:
• Phase 2 Start: 01/30/2026
• Anticipated Completion: 03/25/2026
• Parking stalls in portions of the Cupertino Sports Center and Quinlan Community Center – Alves parking lots will be closed during mobilization and construction activities. The City is working closely with the contractor to phase closures to minimize impacts and reopen areas as soon as possible.

Sports Center Parking Area.jpg

 

Alves Parking Area.jpg

 

Construction for Photovoltaics Project to Begin December 8

The City of Cupertino will begin construction on its Photovoltaics Project on December 8, with work occurring at the Quinlan Community Center in the Alves parking lot, the Cupertino Sports Center parking lot and the roof of Community Hall. The Project was initially approved in June 2024 as part of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 annual CIP budget. The conceptual design was approved by the City Council on December 3, 2024, for the following City locations: Community Hall, Cupertino Sports Center, and Quinlan Community Center.

From December 8 through December 24, construction fencing will be installed in the Alves parking lot and Cupertino Sports Center parking lots, in the designated areas shown on the maps below. During this period, parking will not be available in these locations. If work is completed ahead of schedule, the affected parking areas will be reopened as soon as possible. Additional parking impacts are anticipated in February or March. The City will provide updated information once those dates are confirmed.

Construction activity will also take place on the roof of Community Hall, temporarily affecting seven adjacent parking spaces. The dates for that area are not yet confirmed. The City will post upcoming closures in that area when we have better information.

The City of Cupertino appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as this important renewable energy project moves forward.

 

 

QCC map for PV Project 251201.png

 

CSC map for PV Project 251201.png

Public Meetings

City Council Meeting

Location: Community Hall
Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 6:45 p.m.

The PV project is tentatively scheduled to be an agenda item for this meeting.

 

Past Meetings

City Council Meeting
Location: Community Hall
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 6:45 p.m.
The PV project was heard at this meeting.

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
Location: Quinlan Community Center, Conference Room
Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024, 7 p.m.

The PV project is tentatively scheduled to be an agenda item for this meeting.

Meeting Details

 

Photovoltaic Project Community Meeting
Location: Quinlan Community Center, Community Room
Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 6 p.m. 

10-29-2024-PV-project-flyer-Final.jpg

10/17/2024 Sustainability Commission Meeting
The PV project was an agenda item for this meeting.
Meeting Details

 

6/4/2024 City Council
Approving the PV project as part of the CIP within the City's Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 24/25.
Meeting Details