Clean Energy RFQ
A single RFQ process puts expert clean energy contractors to work for your city — slashing electricity costs, accelerating your Climate Action Plan, and creating local jobs. No upfront capital required.
Benefits of the Clean Energy RFQ
California cities are saving millions through clean energy and energy efficiency projects.
By investing in smarter, greener infrastructure, municipalities are cutting costs, reducing emissions, and making meaningful progress toward their climate goals.
Bakersfield
The City of Bakersfield installed solar panels at five city facilities as city-wide solar generating project, aiming to reduce reliance on costly PG&E energy. This initiative is projected to save the city and taxpayers nearly $9 million in electricity costs over a 20-year period.
Fremont
The City of Fremont installed solar emergency microgrid systems at fire stations, providing energy cost savings and backup renewable power for grid outages — saving at least $250K over 10 years and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Fresno
The City of Fresno installed over 34MW of solar plus battery storage across about 10 city sites, with projected savings of roughly $298 million dollars over 20 years — without any up‑front costs for the city and taxpayers.
Oceanside
The City of Oceanside is projected to save $26 million over a 30-year period by upgrading infrastructure and installing solar PV with energy storage across its facilities in partnership with OPTERRA Energy Services.
San Jose
The City of San Jose's citywide initiative to retrofit its municipal buildings are projected to deliver $4 million in annual energy cost savings, with HVAC and controls serving as the primary drivers of those reductions.
Santa Monica
The City of Santa Monica modernized HVAC systems across municipal buildings, optimizing chilled-water operations and implementing demand response measures, generating millions in cumulative savings.
Cities use RFQs to secure the best expertise and value for taxpayer-funded initiatives while reducing procurement risk.
Issuing an RFQ allows cities to efficiently identify and qualify the most experienced and capable firms for complex projects, saving valuable staff time and ensuring a competitive, transparent selection process.
RFQs are common across California:
"What could take a decade with multiple solicitations — leaving many benefits on the table — may be completed here within a matter of months."
Most cities tackle clean energy one project at a time: one RFP for solar, another for EV charging, another for HVAC. The result is years of staff effort, missed synergies, and a much higher total cost.
This RFQ changes the equation. A single qualified contractor coordinates every project, captures every dollar of savings, and finances it all — without touching the City budget.
OUR PROCESS
From RFQ to ribbon-cutting in months.
STEP 1
Issue the RFQ
City issues the public RFQ and collects qualification packages from experienced EPC firms within ~60 days.
STEP 2
Score & Short-List
Staff apply an objective scoring rubric. A short list of up to five qualified contractors goes to City Council.
STEP 3
Council Vote
City Council selects the best-fit contractor, weighing scores, local commitment, and financing terms.
STEP 4
Project Delivered
Contractor presents a complete Work Product — every project, every dollar of savings — then builds it. City enjoys lower bills immediately.
IMMEDIATE SAVINGS FOR YOUR CITY
Nothing down, collect savings.
The RFQ explicitly prohibits any direct or upfront capital expenditure from the City.
All engineering work is performed by the qualified respondent on their own dime.
Financing takes the form of leases, power purchase agreements, or energy service agreements — meaning the City's financial commitment never exceeds the savings the projects generate.
City Council votes separately on all financial terms before any agreement is signed.
WHY CITIES CHOOSE OUR APPROACH
Six policy wins from one procurement
Our Clean Energy RFQ framework is designed to deliver on every City objective simultaneously, not sequentially. Savings fund priorities. Clean energy fuels progress. Jobs stay local.
1. Slash the Electricity Bill
01 — Slash the Electricity Bill
Solar, storage, and efficiency upgrades combine to achieve the lowest possible monthly electricity costs for City facilities — savings redirected to City priorities.
2. Accelerate Climate Goals
Run City operations on clean, renewable energy and hit your Climate Action Plan and Renewable Portfolio Standard targets years ahead of schedule.
3. No Capital Expenditure
The winning contractor finances all projects through leases, PPAs, and energy service agreements. The City pays only from the savings the projects generate.
4. Local Jobs & Prevailing Wages
Qualified respondents are required to hire locally and pay prevailing wages — injecting economic activity directly into City districts.
5. Maximize CCA Revenue
Excess clean generation feeds back into Community Choice Aggregation programs, creating an additional revenue stream for the City.
6. Minimal Staff Burden
The RFQ places expertise where it belongs — with the contractor. City staff review and score, while the vendor handles engineering, procurement, and construction.
Contact Us
Clean Energy RFQ is an initiative of California Climate Voters PAC.
For more information, email us at: [email protected]
Paid for by California Climate Voters PAC | FPPC ID: 1438751