Pasadena Seeks Qualified Firms to Study Feasability of Solar and Energy Storage at 21 City-Owned Sites

The City of Pasadena has issued a Request for Information seeking qualified firms to conduct solar and energy storage feasibility assessments at 21 municipal sites, with responses due June 8, the City announced Monday.

The RFI — issued in support of Pasadena Water and Power’s Optimized Strategic Plan to source 100 percent of Pasadena’s electricity from carbon-free sources by the end of 2030 — is now available online by clicking here.

Sites under evaluation include the Pasadena Central Library, branch libraries, municipal parking lots and structures, the Rose Bowl Stadium and the Pasadena Convention Center, according to the release.

The City said the RFI is intended to gather input from firms with expertise in solar energy and battery energy storage systems. Information collected through the process will help the City evaluate the technical and financial feasibility of deploying solar or combined solar and storage systems at the named facilities, the release said.

Responses will be used to develop a Request for Proposals for system design and installation, scheduled for release “in the near future,” according to the City. Respondents are also asked to provide input on conceptual system designs, implementation strategies, capital cost estimates and recommended approaches for prioritizing facilities for phased implementation, the release said.

The City described the initiative as part of Pasadena’s broader effort to expand locally sited clean energy resources, enhance energy resilience, optimize municipal assets and reduce long-term utility costs while equitably distributing the benefits of carbon-free energy across the Pasadena community, according to the release. Multiple City departments collaborated with Pasadena Water and Power to shape the program, including Library and Information Services, Planning and Community Development, Public Works and Transportation, the release said.

“This RFI is an important step in identifying the most effective clean energy solutions for Pasadena and is the result of a true collaborative effort,” David Reyes, General Manager of Pasadena Water and Power, said in the release. “We’re excited to continue moving this process forward and to further Pasadena’s clean energy goals.”

“This effort reflects Pasadena’s commitment to our clean energy goals while advancing responsible planning and long-term sustainability,” Matthew Hawkesworth, Interim City Manager, said in the release. “We look forward to gathering the information needed to guide thoughtful, transparent decision making that benefits our entire community.”

The RFI follows the unanimous Dec. 15, 2025, City Council adoption of the Optimized Strategic Plan, a framework described by City officials as the roadmap for meeting the goals of Resolution 9977, which was adopted by the Council on Jan. 30, 2023. That resolution declares a climate emergency and sets the goal of sourcing 100 percent of Pasadena’s electricity from carbon-free sources on an hourly basis by the end of 2030, while optimizing for affordability, rate equity, stability and reliability, according to PWP. The plan emphasizes expanding local solar generation, investing in clean community-owned projects and modernizing infrastructure, the City has said.

PWP launched a separate residential and commercial solar and battery rebate pilot program on April 2, 2026, offering rebates including $0.60 per watt for new rooftop solar systems and up to $550 per kilowatt-hour for battery energy storage, according to a PWP news release.

PWP provides electricity to more than 65,000 customers within Pasadena and delivers water to nearly 38,000 households and businesses in Pasadena and adjacent communities in the San Gabriel Valley, according to the utility. PWP is a community-owned, not-for-profit public service owned and operated by the City of Pasadena.