June 14, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

LADWP’s rooftop solar energy program fails to meet its goals

Latest LADWP news.
Latest LADWP news.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s rooftop solar energy program has failed to meet its goals, with only a small fraction of the approved projects generating energy since the program began in 2012, according to a UCLA/USC report released today.

The Department of Water and Power’s “feed-in-tariff” program allows property owners to install solar panels on their buildings and sell the energy back to the utility.

But despite having already authorized 150 megawatts of solar projects, just 6.5 megawatts are currently being generated, according to the report commissioned by the Los Angeles Business Council Institute.

Another 8.2 megawatts are under contract and awaiting construction, and 56 megawatts are in the works, the report said.

The report also found the programs were delayed by limited staffing, with the number of the equivalent of three full-time workers in the program in 2013, even though there was originally a budget for 30.

UCLA and USC researchers recommended increasing staffing and processing applications for the program based on how ready the projects are, rather than on when they are submitted.

Researchers also said the city could see “exponentially greater benefits” by increasing the program’s capacity to 1,500 megawatts by 2025. This would result in 36,000 new jobs — enough energy to power more than 300,000 homes — and the elimination of 26 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the report said.

The heightened pace would also help the city stay on track to meet anticipated state mandated renewable energy goals, according to the report.

The report also found that LADWP’s existing program resulted in 2,000 new jobs, $300 million in direct investment and the displacement of 2.7 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

LADWP’s feed-in-tariff program was implemented following a push by the business council and the CLEAN LA Solar Coalition.

LADWP’s Solar Programs Manager Jason Rondou responded to the report today during a City Hall roundtable, saying the 150 megawatts was a goal that the LADWP did not expect to reach until the end of 2016.

The solar program now has 7 megawatts on board, but he acknowledged they had expected to have 20 megawatts operational at this time.

“We’ve seen areas where we can improve our process,” Rondou told City News Service following the talk, and the utility has worked toward “automating paper work, automating communications, being able to ramp staff easily.”

“But it’s also a less learned on the development community,” he said. “We need them to be more responsive as well.”

Rondou also pointed to delays in the permitting of projects by the city’s Department of Building and Safety.

Rondou added that the utility has added staffing, but said they mainly rely on a system of “ramping up,” or assigning existing workers to solar projects based on the need.

He said the utility is proposing another 300 megawatts of solar energy capacity for the feed-in-tariff program, which would require approval from city leaders.

 

Tags: in News
Related Posts

Senator Alex Padilla Forcibly Removed, Handcuffed at DHS Press Briefing in Los Angeles

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Security or Censorship? Padilla Removed After Questioning Secretary Kristi Noem U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed Thursday during...

Man Fatally Stabbed in Hancock Park; LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Officers Found the Victim Unresponsive; No Suspect Description Released. THe LAPD is investigating the fatal stabbing of a man discovered...

Federal Court Halts Order Requiring Trump to Return Control of California Guard to Governor Newsom

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Court Showdown Looms Over Trump’s Federalization of State Troops Late Thursday, a federal appeals court paused enforcement of a lower...

‘No Kings: National Day of Defiance’ Protest in LA to Run Counter to Donald Trump’s Birthday Military Parade

June 13, 2025

June 13, 2025

Giant Trump Balloons, Pride Flags, and Community Speakers Will Fill the Streets on Flag Day Thousands of demonstrators are expected...

(Video) Senator Alex Padilla Being Forcibly Removed at Secretary Kristi Noem’s DHS Press Conference for Attempting to Ask Questions

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

In a disturbing and unprecedented move, FBI agents grabbed the sitting California Senator, dragged him out of the room, and...

Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken Serve Up Pride Month Specials That Give Back

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Limited-Time Food, Cocktail Offerings at Socalo and Alice B. Support LGBTQ+ Centers In honor of Pride Month, acclaimed chefs Susan...

(Video) Crustacean’s Little C Pop-Up in Beverly Hills

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Amazing Phở, especially the chicken. Vietnamese street food with the Crustacean flair. Amazing Phở, especially the chicken. Vietnamese street food...

World-Class Chefs and Local Farms Bring Culinary Magic to Santa Monica This June

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

3 Nights, 3 Unforgettable Dinners: Santa Monica’s Michelin + Farm Feast Series A trio of exclusive culinary events is set...

Immigrant Opened Her Doors to Injured Deputies and Demonstrators Offering Water, Aid, and Compassion

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Salvadoran Restaurant Becomes Unexpected Refuge During L.A. Immigration Protest As immigration protests swept through parts of Los Angeles County over...

Mastro’s Malibu Reopens With Ocean Views, Signature Steaks, and Nearly Entire Staff Intact

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Iconic Oceanfront Steakhouse Returns With Its Beloved Butter Cake, Nightly Live Music, and Sunset Glamour After a five-month closure due...

Chagee Now Open in Century City, Emily Ratajkowski Attends Opening Ceremony

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Global Tea Powerhouse Opens Its First U.S. Location at Westfield Century City Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski joined Chagee for...

Local Representatives Jaqui Irwin, Brian Allen, and Horvath to Host Wildfire Preparedness Webinar

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Virtual Wildfire Forum to Cover Readiness, Insurance, Public Safety Q&A Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, State Senator Ben Allen, and Los Angeles...

Judge Denies Newsom’s Bid to Halt Military Expansion in L.A. Amid Immigration Raids

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

California’s Emergency TRO Blocked as Marines Await Domestic Use-of-Force Training  Efforts by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob...

The VA Enlists Federal HR Agency to Oversee Massive Layoff Planning

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Agreement With OPM Follows Proposed Cuts to More Than 80,000 Jobs The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has been...

Santa Monica ‘Pier 360’ Beach Festival Returns June 28–29 with Two Days of Surf, Sports, and SoCal Vibes

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

Free All-Ages Event Features Ocean Races, Skate Competitions, Roller Rink, Beer Garden, Live Music, Kids Activities, And More The Santa...